Increased investment in Melbourne’s west, including a minister for the region and payroll tax relief for small businesses, is advocated in a new report.
With the west’s population set to double by 2050, and one in five young Victorians set to call it home, western suburbs councils and advocacy group LeadWest are calling on governments to “urgently” focus on the region.
Global engineering and building company Arup, which compiled
The future is west: Investing in Melbourne’s newest generation on behalf of LeadWest, has made a number of recommendations in a bid to ensure the region can keep up with its burgeoning population.
The report recommends a minister for Melbourne’s west to “champion” the region in cabinet discussions and help attract investment. It recommends setting up special economic zones, where small businesses will be given payroll tax relief similar to what’s happening in regional Victoria.
LeadWest chief executive Craig Rowley said investing in transport and creating jobs was “critical” to the region and state.
“The window of opportunity to shape the future of Melbourne’s west is now,” Mr Rowley said. “Our rapidly expanding population is a huge opportunity. But if the right investment and proper management doesn’t happen now, the repercussions will impact not only Victoria, but also the nation’s economy.”
