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27 APRIL, 2021
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Early years hub funded A new $6.8 million early learning centre and community hub will be built in Maddingley after the state government announced it would contribute $3.5 million for the project. Earmarked for a site next to a proposed primary school on McCormacks Road, the Maddingley West Early Years and Community Hub will offer kindergarten for three-and-four-year-olds, maternal and child health consulting and a shared room for occasional care and playgroups, as well as family services consulting spaces and community rooms for programs for young people and seniors. Buninyong MP Michaela Settle visited Darley Early Years Hub last Thursday to announce that the state government will chip in $3.5 million for the project, the remainder being funded by Moorabool council. The council has been pushing for funding assistance to help meet the booming population growth in the Maddingley area. Council figures show there were 377 children aged up to four years old living in Maddingley last year, a figure expected to rise by almost 60 kids across the next decade. The council will now start work on a detailed design for the centre. Benjamin Millar
Buninyong MP Michaela Settle, Moorabool councillor Rod Ward and Matilda, 4, with Renee Tomson and eight-week-old Eli. (Damjan Janevski) 234710_03
Melton population soars By Benjamin Millar Melton has been officially recognised as Victoria’s second fastest-growing population hotspot, surging by almost five per cent in just 12 months to more than 180,000 residents. Recently released Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows the City of Melton’s population grew at 4.6 per cent in 2019-20, driven by a boom in Melton South and the Rockbank area. Rockbank and Mount Cottrell grew by 29 per cent or 2356 people, behind only Mickleham in Melbourne’s outer north which grew by 33 per
cent. Melton South increased by 2787 people – a 9.1 per cent rise. Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik said such rapid growth places heavy pressure on health services, schools, roads and public transport, prompting calls for more state and federal government support in meeting the increased demand. “These services and infrastructure generally arrive after residential growth, which means we’re always playing catch up,” she said. “As a council, our role is to help the other levels of government understand the challenges and gaps that exist locally and help secure their
investment in our city.” Projections predict rapid population growth until 2051, ultimately tipping over the half million mark – larger than Canberra’s current population. Growth will be spread across the municipality, but most heavily concentrated between the eastern corridor and Melton township. Cr Majdlik cited a serious shortage in local access to basic health services, mental health services and family violence services as a concern, as well as a limited bus network forcing residents to rely on their cars. She said more state and federal investment
is needed for job-boosting “transformational projects” including the Melton Hospital and Western Intermodal Freight Precinct, as well as the Western and Melton highway upgrades, Western Rail Plan, and the Outer Metropolitan Ring. “These sorts of projects don’t just mean better access to health care, education, and services, they also translate into local job creation and a better lifestyle for our residents,” she said. “Local jobs growth is not keeping up with residential growth, and two thirds of our local workforce leave the municipality for work every day.”
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