E-News Update

As your local Member of Parliament I am available to assist you with any State Government related issues such as education, health, transport and police.

My office can be contacted on 03 9741 1133 or at tim.pallas@parliament.vic.gov.au.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Putting First-Home Buyers First
$1.8b Western Roads Upgrades
Empower Youth Grants
Police Recruitment

GRANTS, AWARDS AND PROGRAMS:

Multicultural Events and Festivals
Supporting Creative Industies
Emergency Services Grants

Government is a collaborative process and I encourage you to contact me and pass on your feedback, questions and suggestions, so we can continue to improve our community.

PUTTING FIRST-HOME BUYERS FIRST

The Andrews Labor Government is making it easier to break into the housing market with the release of its housing strategy that aims to increase access to affordable housing in Victoria's regional areas, Melbourne's growth corridors and inner suburbs.

Initiatives in the strategy include:

Abolishing stamp duty for first home buyers of new and established homes under $600,000, which is expected to assist up to 25,000 Victorians.
Doubling the first home owners grant from $10,000 to $20,000 for Victorians purchasing their first home in regional Victoria
$50m HomesVic pilot scheme to assist first home buyers in affording a deposit by co-purchasing up to 400 homes.

These actions coincide with the release of 100,000 housing lots in Melbourne's key growth corridors. Plans for 17 residential areas, including the Quandong precinct in the Werribee electorate, will be completed over the next two years.

The provision of jobs, schools, hospitals, public transport and roads will be a key focus of these plans. They will also incorporate existing infrastructure with the Quandong Precinct Structure Plan having access to Regional Rail Link services and benefiting from the State Labor Government’s $1.8 million investment to upgrade key arterial roads.

For more information, please visit: http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/homes-for-victorians/

HAVE YOUR SAY ON $1.8B ROADS PACKAGE

Community consultations are now open for the Western Roads Package that will slash travel times, boost reliability and provide better access to key services.

The Andrews Labor Government's $1.8 billion western package for the Outer Suburban Arterial Roads Program will combine 8 high-priority road upgrades with maintenance on more than 750 kilometres of road stretching from Werribee to Footscray.

This will improve capacity and road conditions, with 30 kilometres of duplications and intersection upgrades, including the Duncans Road interchange.

Three consortiums have been shortlisted for the works, which will commence in 2018. Online consultations close Sunday 19 March.

Have your say now at: https://engage.vicroads.vic.gov.au/westernupgrades

EMPOWERING AND ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE

The Andrews Labor Government's Empower Youth program will provide vulnerable young people in Wyndham with the support and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.

The Empower South Sudanese Youth Wellbeing initiative has been choosen from 100 applicants to receive $250,000 to create a mentoring program working to bridge the intergenerational gap between South Sudanese young people and their community.

Wyndham City Council will also receive $440,000 to create an initiative providing pathways to education, employment and enterprise for young people.

The $4 million program will fund eight organisations in employing youth workers to develop and deliver initiatives providing intensive support, engagement in education and training pathways to employment.

This program will make a profound impact on the lives of our young people and our community.

VICTORIA POLICE NOW RECRUITING

Be a Force for Good is part of our broader strategy to keep Victorians Safe.

The Andrews Labor Government is recruiting 3135 new polce officers on top of the numbers we recruit to replace retiring members.

With more than 13,400 police officers and 1300 PSOs deployed across the state, Victoria Police is looking for more recruits to bolster its ranks and work to support and protect our community.

Victoria Police have a rigorous selection and training process to ensure they select the right people, and to make sure recruits have the training and confidence to make a difference.

The Andrews Labor Government is also funding a new police training facility, new and upgraded police stations, high-tech Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology for all highway patrol cars, an expanded air wing, and mobile technology.

For more information visit: http://policecareers.vic.gov.au

GRANTS, AWARDS AND PROGRAMS

MULTICULTURAL FESITIVAL AND EVENTS GRANTS

The State Government is supporting organisers of community festivals and events that celebrate Victoria's rich cultural diversity.

More than $2 million will be made available for community groups and schools as part of our recently-launched Victorian. And Proud of it multicultural policy.

Grants of up to $10,000 and $100,000 are available, with grants of up to $2000 for primary and secondary schools also on offer.

For more information, please visit: http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/grants/apply-for-a-grant/multicultural-festival-and-events-program

SUPPORTING CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

Victoria is home to vibrant and innovative creative industries - contributing to Melbourne's postion as the nation's cultural capital.

The State Government's $100,000 Marketing Innovation Fund supports projects ranging from $2000 to $20,000 run by organisations that demonstrate a creative approach to marketing and engaging with new audiences and customers. Applications for this fund close Tuesday, 4 March.

The Rockin' the Laneways grant program is also now open for applications for projects that celebrate Victoria's rich music culture.

Grants of up to $25,000 are available for projects that bring the state's music history to life for the public in an innovative way. Applications close Monday 20 March.

For more information about these grants programs and to apply, visit: http://www.creative.vic.gov.au

EMERGENCY SERVICES VOLUNTEER GRANTS

With more than 100,000 emergency management volunteers keeping Victorians safe, we are supporting them through much needed investment in equipment and facilities.

The Emergency Services Volunteer Sustainability Grants Program is open to the CFA, SES, Marine Search and Rescue, Life Saving Victoria, and other emergency management organisations.

Grants are available for a wide range of equipment and facilities. For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/esvsgrants

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Tim Pallas MP · 2/56-58 Watton St, Werribee, 3030 · Werribee, VIC 3030 · Australia