NOVEMBER 3, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Blueprint for jobs By Tara Murray
Poppy appeal
(Supplied)
Job-generating projects and transport infrastructure are needed to help Melbourne’s north recover from the impacts of COVID-19, according to a new report. The latest Northern Horizons report, produced by economic development body NORTH Link and the Northern Councils Alliance, outlines a 50-year strategy urging job-creating infrastructure to help new industries to fill the gap in the job market. The region has been heavily affected by COVID-19, with about 80,000 jobs lost during the pandemic. NORTH Link and northern councils, including Hume and Whittlesea, say that economic confidence and jobs are needed urgently. The report identifies short and long-term infrastructure investments needed to stimulate job creation in the region. Among the key short-term projects is making the La Trobe NEIC [National Employment and Innovation Cluster] a Victorian government Priority Precinct; the continued development of metropolitan activity centres at Epping, Broadmeadows and Cloverton; building major activity centres in places such as Sunbury; the expansion of the Melbourne Market at Epping; increased mental health support services; and committed construction of community hospitals in Whittlesea, Craigieburn and Sunbury. Short-term transport projects include bringing forward Suburban Rail Loop construction in the north to connect precincts; the construction of the Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal; completing the Outer Metropolitan Ring Road and E6 business case; bus network changes; railway station upgrades including Broadmeadows; and outer north arterial roads including the Bulla Bypass. These projects are expected to bring thousands of jobs to the area, according to the report. In the medium term, the construction of the Outer Metropolitan Ring Road and E6 , Wollert rail extension and new hospital – likely in the Hume corridor – are key items. Report taskforce chair and Hume chief executive Domenic Isola said there is still a lot of work to be done in the north. He said the region’s rate of population growth meant there was a “large and rapdily growing” need for new infrastructure and services.
Craigieburn War Memorial and Remembrance Committee is asking the local community to get behind Remembrance Day by putting poppies out to mark the day. Committee president Kevin O’Callaghan said with normal Remembrance Day services unable to go ahead because of COVID-19, the group was looking at different ways to remember those who served. He expects Remembrance Day to be quieter than usual. “We’re friends of the RSL, so anything we do has to be in accordance with the RSL,” he said. “It’s not likely to be a big service unless things change dramatically. “We’ll look at what we did on Anzac Day. The flags will be up at the memorial and we’ll look to get people involved through a live service on Facebook.” Mr O’Callaghan said one way the community could get involved was by placing poppies in front yards or mail boxes from the start of November. “We would love to see kids painting poppies on a rock or put poppies outside where people can see then and then send us photos. “It’s good to get the kids involved. People really got behind Anzac Day [light up the dawn] hopefully people will do this and send through photos to us.” This year’s poppy appeal has also gone online. Details: https://poppyappeal.com. au/ CHARLOTTE, 3
Tara Murray
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