$85.8 million social safety net for Victorians in tough global times

An $85.8 million Brumby Labor Government State Budget social safety net will help support vulnerable Victorians through the Global Financial Crisis, the Minister for Community Development, Peter Batchelor, said today.

Mr Batchelor said the package – with new community facilities and an extension of eight highly-successful Community Renewal projects as the centrepiece – would support low-income households and strengthen Victorian communities.

“The Brumby Labor Government is delivering strong leadership in tough global times to see Victoria through and build for the future,” Mr Batchelor said. “Our Government is committed to continuing to build strong communities throughout Victoria because we know it makes Victoria a happier, healthier and more secure place to live.’’

The Minister for Community Services, Lisa Neville, said the Brumby Labor Government would support communities under pressure from the recent bushfires, population growth and the Global Financial Crisis.

“The Brumby Labor Government is rebuilding after the bushfires and helping families through the Global Financial Crisis, while keeping the Budget in surplus and delivering more jobs and world-class infrastructure and services for Victorians,” Ms Neville said.

“The adjustment we are making to our concessions program will help low income families manage the increase in water prices.”

The Brumby Labor Government’s $85.8 million social safety net will include:

• An additional $17.2 million over four years to expand the Neighbourhood Renewal initiative, which has achieved over 5000 job outcomes by working with employers, investing in labour market programs and community enterprises, and creating local job opportunities in the delivery of housing works. The funding will maintain existing Neighbourhood Renewal sites, as well as expanding to two new locations;
• $11.6 million for the Community Facilities: Supporting Growing Communities initiative to support the construction of community facilities in areas facing rapid population growth, and in bushfire-affected communities;
• $10.8 million for a family violence program to provide integrated and specialised services that better respond to family violence and help reduce the incidence of family violence. The funding will continue the Family Violence Court Divisions at the Ballarat and Heidelberg Magistrates’ Courts and the Specialist Family Violence Service available at the Melbourne, Sunshine and Frankston Magistrates’ Courts;
• $42 million to increase the Water and Sewerage Concession Cap;
• $2.4 million for water audits and retro-fits to low income households furthering the Water Wise program;
• $8.9 million to extend the successful Community Renewal program that will allow eight projects to continue for another three years; and
• $3.7 million for the extension of coordination hours for Neighbourhood Houses.

Mr Batchelor said the Brumby Labor Government’s Community Facilities: Supporting Growing Communities initiative would support areas that have experienced rapid population growth or areas affected by this year’s bushfires.

“This program will fund facilities such as libraries, neighbourhood houses, community centres and sporting facilities,” Mr Batchelor said.

“It targets councils experiencing significant population growth, such as those in Melbourne's growth areas and some regional centres.”

Mr Batchelor said the extension of the Community Renewal program would mean eight projects – at Laverton, Frankston North, Chelsea, Whittington, Craigieburn, Hampton Park, Rosebud West and Bayswater North – would continue for an extra six years.

“Community Renewal is driving transformational change in areas of high need that are now also vulnerable to the economic downturn,” he said.

“The program’s extension will allow communities to build on the great work already achieved.

“The program delivers a range of benefits to communities including stimulating local business activity through support for community and social enterprises, expanding job and training opportunities, and building local leadership and networks.”

The Minister for Housing, Richard Wynne, said Neighbourhood Renewal, which focused on public housing areas, combined better housing with new jobs, training and education, better access to services and safer neighbourhoods in disadvantaged communities.

“The Brumby Labor Government will establish two new Neighbourhood Renewal sites, one in metropolitan Melbourne and the other in regional Victoria,” Mr Wynne said.

“Neighbourhood Houses give Victorians a place to come together, access services and education and receive important information.

“The importance of Neighbourhood Houses was highlighted during the recent bushfires as they became important meeting places and support networks – and will be crucial to the long-term recovery of bushfire-affected communities.”