By Jaidyn Kennedy
A state government decision to kill off the growing suburbs fund (GSF) will affect the liveability of newer areas, Wyndham mayor Mia Shaw has claimed.
The GSF, a pool of money that seven growth councils, including Wyndham, could apply to access to help fund their infrastructure projects, was established in 2015. It was left out of the latest state budget.
Cr Shaw said the fund, which has provided more than $440 million across Melbourne in its lifetime, has been instrumental in Wyndham.
“The fund has played a key role in funding crucial projects in Wyndham, including the build of the Truganina Community Centre, the redevelopment of Wyndham Park and many sporting and community facility upgrades,” she said.
“We are acutely aware of the need for trade-offs during these difficult financial times, but this trade-off directly impacts the liveability of our community and all communities in outer Melbourne.”
Cr Shaw said council’s prediction that the population of the municipality will exceed 500,000 people by 2040 makes the continuation of the funding increasingly urgent.
“There is a critical need for more community centres, parks, transport links, and recreational facilities in growth areas like Tarneit, Truganina, and Wyndham Vale,” she said.
“This rapid growth places an enormous pressure on our infrastructure and services.”
Cr Shaw said the last injection into the fund, $5 million in 2024-25, was not enough and has called on the state government to not only revive the fund but increase it to $50 million per year.
“By turning off the GSF tap, council has been left to make some difficult decisions around services and infrastructure,” she said.
“We simply need more support to fund our exponential growth.”
Cr Shaw said if and when the funding is reinstated, it should be a permanent fixture in the state’s cheque book.
“The fund should then be rolled over into subsequent years, providing long-term funding certainty to allow for strategic infrastructure planning,” she said.
Wyndham is one of 10 councils that form the Outer Melbourne Councils (OMC) group that is collectively calling for the fund to be returned.
The Department of Transport and Planning was contacted.
