Zoe Moffatt and Liam McNally
A new advocacy group has launched in Diggers Rest to address the needs of the growing community and its concern surrounding infrastructure and services shortfalls.
The group, which launched in September 2022, said its goal is to ensure the town is self-sufficient to support the growing community and advocate for the required investment where necessary.
Group member John Verdon has lived in Diggers Rest for eight years with his wife and two children.
He said the three main concerns of the group surround connectivity, and delivery of council infrastructure and services.
“[One main concern is the] unequitable delivery of council infrastructure across the municipality but particularly in Diggers Rest [and] the Community Centre and District level play spaces,“ Mr Verdon said.
“[There is also a] lack of connectivity to the rest of the municipality and the tyranny of distance to access local government services … without [much] acknowledgement or support from council to remedy this.
“Lack of locally delivered council services, poor understanding of the suburb of Diggers Rest and the rapid growth occurring here [is another main concern].”
Mr Verdon said the group is advocating for immediate action for the community hub, which will complete the ‘town centre’ of Diggers Rest.
“In the precinct structure plan the ‘early establishment’ of a town centre … was listed as a priority,” he said.
“Many other suburbs have had their community centres funded when their population figures are far lower than ours is now.
“Mt Atkinson as an example just opened their community centre last weekend with a population of 1500, Diggers Rest now has [population of] 6500.”
Mr Verdon said the group is also advocating for swift action in regards to the funding of stage two of the Diggers Rest Recreation reserve master plan, which he said is almost two years behind schedule.
If residents are interested in the group, Mr Verdon said they can engage with the public facing Facebook page.
Melton engagement and advocacy manager Sean McManus said council is undertaking an $8.2 million Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve upgrade which is on track for delivery by the end of 2023, a Community Centre to be operational in 2028.
Mr McManus said the state government is responsible for public transport and council will be writing to the Public Transport Minister to request additional bus services for Diggers Rest to provide improved connections to Melton.
“The City of Melton is the fastest growing municipality in Victoria and has broad infrastructure obligations that considers a whole of municipality approach,“ he said.
Details: rb.gy/e98en
