Hannah Hammoud
Council has identified mental health as a top advocacy priority for the municipality, following the endorsement of its draft Brimbank advocacy plan.
At the council meeting on September 19, council endorsed the plan which identifies gold, silver and bronze priorities.
Mental health was stamped as a gold priority, alongside the delivery of the Transforming Brimbank program which encompasses the Sunshine Priority Precinct, Albion Station, Sunshine Station, Albion Quarter, Sunshine Energy Park and an integrated transport strategy.
The new set of advocacy priorities are outlined for the upcoming two years, until 2025, and were determined through a series of workshops, and one-on-one interviews with councillors based on feedback they received directly from the community.
Councillor Virginia Tachos said each of the identified priorities are important to ensure the community is provided with adequate funding, infrastructure, investment and support.
“I’m proud that this council has recognised the importance of mental health being a key issue and that we will do everything we can to support our community, not just to survive but to thrive,” she said.
The delivery of the Transforming Brimbank program is set to respond to an influx of investment in Melbourne’s west.
Cr Tachos said this investment will enable the construction of key infrastructure projects that will get the west moving again, “literally and economically”.
As part of the advocacy plan, silver category priorities were advocating for pathways to employment, as well as road Infrastructure, including the Calder Freeway, Taylors Road, Robinsons Road, Ballarat Road and Sydenham Road.
The bronze category featured local business support and climate emergency. While it was deemed ‘business as usual’ for continued advocacy regarding the Melbourne Airport third runway, major parks and playgrounds, electronic gaming machines and gambling and the Calder Park Station.
Council said it is also strongly advocating for the recommitment by both state and federal governments to the Suburban Rail Link Airport project.
