The forgotten west … at least that’s how Voice for the West candidate for Melton, Monika Thomas, dubs Melbourne’s fast-growing western suburbs.
“Melton council records growth in the west at a massive 4.3 per cent every year, but the infrastructure isn’t keeping up with the people moving in,” Ms Thomas said.
“The west is forgotten about. We’re growing like wildfire, but there aren’t enough schools; roads aren’t up to scratch; trains aren’t up to scratch; we need another hospital – and that’s just to name a few.”
Ms Thomas is hoping to bring a change to the west and make its services comparable to those of the eastern and south-eastern suburbs where she grew up.
She said the eastern and south-eastern suburbs were well looked after.
“But no one is saying about what’s going to be done in the west.”
The mother-of-three says she will be rallying for hospitals, schools and roads if elected in November.
“We need to make a change,” Ms Thomas said.
“We want to give the community its say in Parliament and say, ‘We’re just as worthy as the other side of town and we should also be looked after’.”
Ms Thomas volunteers as a teacher’s aide at her son’s school but says she is struggling to find a job, blaming it on outsourcing.
“They say work for the dole, but where are the jobs? They’re all going overseas.”
The state election is on Saturday, November 29. Visit www.voiceforthewest.org.au for more information.
