Call for next Federal Government to do more for GSEM region
Greater South East Melbourne today (7 April 2022) launched its 2022 Federal Election Platform.
At the launch, which took place at Mount Waverley Community Centre, GSEM called on the next Federal Government to invest in the policies and projects needed by the 1.5 million residents of the Greater South East Melbourne region.
Greater South East Melbourne spokesperson Cr Steve Staikos, Mayor of Kingston, said:
“Unlike many other areas we don’t have a specific regional plan supported by local, state and federal government that either addresses our challenges, builds upon our strengths, or recognises the opportunities.
“If we want to slingshot productivity gains – the next federal government must invest in Greater South East Melbourne.
“It’s time to take off the restraints and properly invest in the assets we have that can be primed for greater use.
“Our existing employment centres can be made even more accessible and we can create new employment hubs that will generate better paid and more secure employment with jobs closer to home.
“But to do this we need the next federal government to contribute to building or extending key regional linkages such as:
Thompsons Rd, Westall Rd and Glasscocks Rd.
The Dandenong ByPass and the Lang Lang Bypass
Monash to Rowville Trackless Rapid Transport; and
Extending the Frankston and Cranbourne railway lines
“These projects will grow existing precincts such as the:
Knoxfield Employment Hub
The Monash Precinct
Dandenong and Dandenong South, and
The health and education precincts at Frankston and Berwick
“New employment precincts like the Hastings Industrial Park and the Officer South Employment Precinct must be activated. Both are projects with partners ready to invest, but the next federal government must come to the table.
“The proposed South East Airport in Cardinia will create jobs in construction, tourism and agriculture, international education and freight and logistics.
“Job creation will not be limited to the airport site but will spread into the surrounding precincts that are already zoned for industrial development but waiting for a federal government to play its part.
“A South East Melbourne airport will also ensure valuable agricultural land is protected.
“The highest priority for skills and training in Greater South East Melbourne is equipping students with the skills needed by employers in agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, robotics, engineering, health and education.
“GSEM’s skills platform provides the quality knowledge jobs needed for the highly qualified workers living in but working outside of the region.
“There has been a decade long decline of school leavers in south east Melbourne taking up Vocational Education and Training related programs. A coordinated approach to matching employer demands for skills with courses available to student is essential if we are to address our ongoing employment challenge.
“We know that jobs are important to everyone but so too is a vibrant, safe place to live, rich with culture to fulfill those who live and work in the region.
“That’s why projects like the proposed South East Sports and Entertainment Centre in Dandenong are important – it leverages off the presence of the Melbourne City Football Club who have successfully relocated their headquarters and elite training facility to Casey Fields and provides a year-round use for elite sport, concerts, conferences and large community events and festivals.
“Key to wellbeing is active and passive recreation. Our region has parks – even Kingston’s Chain of Parks, Botanical gardens, community sporting fields and many of Australia’s best golf courses.
“To keep people active and healthy, we need a green region which is why recycled water infrastructure is so important.
“We already have an existing water asset to use. Each year 130 billion litres of Class A recycled water is pumped into Bass Strait – instead, it should be used in our recreation spaces and for our diverse manufacturing and agricultural sectors.
“On behalf of my Mayoral colleagues we ask that the federal government invest and deliver these transformational regional projects that build on our wonderful strengths, addresses our challenges and recognises the opportunities to make south east Melbourne Australia’s greatest place.”