Seven Brimbank suburbs are among the most at risk of COVID-19 job losses, according to data from the Centre of Full Employment and Equity.
Cairnlea, Delahey, Kings Park, St Albans North, St Albans South, Sunshine and Taylors Lakes all feature in the top 12 most vulnerable suburbs in Victoria.
The study, led by Professors William Mitchell and Scott Baum, used Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data, an Employment Vulnerability Index and employment statistics to classify suburbs and towns into four categories, from the most high risk to low risk of job losses.
The report states people with low skills or employed in casual or part-time positions “will likely see their employment opportunities diminish”.
Last month, the Brimbank council called on the federal government to help it stimulate jobs in the area.
It cited a recent fall in unemployment figures in Brimbank from 9.6 per cent in the December 2018 quarter to 8.1 per cent in December 2019, as the last decrease in unemployment likely to be seen in the municipality for some time.
“Rising unemployment is a grave concern to council, especially as Brimbank already experiences a number of significant socio-economic challenges,” Brimbank mayor Cr Georgina Papafotiou said.
“We’re looking to them [governments] for further solutions, as we are keen to work together on this issue going forward.”
The council recently was awarded $1,132,617 as part of the federal governments $1.8 billion stimulus package to help fund road projects across the municipality.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the funding would help stimulate employment.
“Our funding boost will help council’s accelerate priority projects that will employ locally and support local business and also stimulating our economy,” Mr Morrison said.
“These projects will cut travel times, make our communities safer and upgrade the facilities we all enjoy while also getting more people into jobs.
