By Olivia Condous
Melton council has called on all candidates for the upcoming Victorian state election to pledge infrastructure investment for the municipality.
The council identified four main areas that it is advocating for investment, including road infrastructure, public transport, health services and supporting local jobs.
Fix Our Roads is a focus of the advocacy priorities, which was a campaign launched by the council in April this year.
The campaign outlines six roads or intersections that require “critical” upgrades in order to ease congestion and improve safety, while meeting commercial and industrial growth demands.
The council have also called on the government to provide a clear timeline of the previously promised electrification of the Melton rail line, as well as the provision of new stations at Hopkins Road, Paynes Road and Calder Park.
It also stated the eight “dangerous” level crossings between Caroline Springs and Melton Reservoir should be removed.
The council called for several health upgrades for the municipality to help “disadvantaged” families, requiring incentives and scholarships for maternal child health nurses.
Melton council also called for a dedicated mental health, drug and alcohol service located in proximity of the future Melton hospital and a tertiary facility near the hospital to train the staff required to support the new health services.
Finally, to create long-term local jobs, the council has requested the construction of the Outer Metropolitan Ring Rail Network and the Western Intermodal Freight Terminal, to open more opportunities for freight.
Melton mayor Goran Kesic said the investments were required to meet the growing municipality’s needs, as the population was expected to reach nearly half a million people by 2040.
“We need transport investment to get us moving, health and education investment to keep us strong and jobs to help us grow,” Cr Kesic said.
“We need concrete commitments for our community this election to build a resilient and thriving city.”
