By Tony Smith, Casey MP
It was an honour and privilege to be returned as your federal representative at the recent election.
It’s truly exciting to be working in partnership with local community groups and our council to deliver the important local projects that I pledged during the campaign.
For some time, the lack of accessible mental health services for young people in the outer east, Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges has been apparent.
Accordingly, a new $4.5 million Youth Health Hub and headspace in Lilydale will help fill critical gaps in care and support.
Importantly, the hub will provide outreach services throughout our region.
Making our community safer and stronger and getting you home sooner is a key priority.
That’s why federal funding of $150 million over 10 years will help seal 250 kilometres of dirt roads in our area, all with the aim of ending the days of dust, potholes and mud.
This funding will be provided directly to our council, which will use it to seal more dirt roads faster, as well as reduce the contribution made by landowners.
Major arterial road projects have also been funded.
These include the duplication of the Maroondah Highway in Coldstream, Wellington Road in Lysterfield/Belgrave South and additional lanes along Canterbury Road.
Encouraging fitness and sporting activity is important.
Accordingly, I have secured funding contributions for new pavilions and the upgrading of local facilities.
Projects in Wandin North, Mount Evelyn, Chirnside Park and Mooroolbark are fully funded and will soon get underway.
Importantly, these facilities will benefit increasing numbers of female participants and be available for community use.
Another priority is to boost tourism and local jobs.
Funding of $15.3 million is being spent on four projects: the Yarra Valley Trail, Warburton Mountain Bike trails, Warburton Community Recreation Precinct and Ridge Walk.
Other projects are planned throughout our towns and suburbs, which are designed to provide better facilities, meet community needs and improve our environment.
They include: safer communities with more than $805,000 of funding for security camera networks in Seville, Montrose, Warburton and Millgrove, Upwey and Wandin; funding for solar panels and batteries at key community facilities in the Yarra Valley; funding for community facilities, including at Dandenong Ranges RSL and Ferny Creek Scouts; and significant contributions towards improved sporting facilities in Belgrave, Healesville, Kilsyth, Seville, Upwey and Yarra Junction.
I am looking forward to working with the many groups involved with these projects to help build stronger communities.
