Brimbank needs urgent help across a range of areas to bring its “considerably poorer outcomes” up to par with Melbourne averages, the council says.
The council said urgent “catch up” investment is needed across health, education and jobs – as recommended in the recent West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance (WoMEDA) Economic Development Strategy.
Brimbank mayor Margaret Giudice said the council would write to major political parties seeking commitments to fund a range of catch-up programs.
“The WoMEDA report – overseen by senior community leaders in Melbourne’s west and chaired by former premier Steve Bracks – acknowledges that we have a real problem with ‘considerably poorer’ health, education and jobs outcomes in this community, compared with Melbourne averages,” Cr Giudice said.
“It is time for our state and federal governments to invest in the west.
“Council has a strong focus on advocating for investment to address significant health, wellbeing and social challenges facing our community.
“The WoMEDA strategy recommendations support council’s calls for investment to meet challenges across education, health and jobs participation.”
The strategy aims to bring the west up to Melbourne’s averages by introducing an independent West of Melbourne Education Performance Monitor.
It will also implement five-year targets for the departments of health and of education.
Cr John Hedditch raised a motion at last month’s council meeting, imploring the council to push hard for change.
“We have a lot to do in terms of catch-up – we need five-year catch up programs to bring health, education and jobs outcomes up to Melbourne’s averages,” Cr Hedditch said.
“The report finally acknowledges we have a problem with outcomes in this community – outcomes where west of Melbourne averages are below that of Melbourne.
“Now we have the opportunity to go and advocate for the sets of outcomes in this strategy and we need to do this passionately.”
