WYNDHAM Council has backed calls for the state government to use superannuation funds to increase investment in infrastructure.
A parliamentary inquiry into liveability in outer suburban Melbourne, tabled last month, called on the government to consider collaborating with superannuation funds to increase investment in roads, rail, medical and community facilities in growth areas.
The inquiry found that state and federal governments needed to invest in Melbourne’s fringe communities to deliver crucial infrastructure.
Mayor Heather Marcus said as Victoria’s fastest-growing municipality, Wyndham was experiencing growing pains which needed to be addressed.
“Welcoming more than 12,000 residents to our city every year means more than just supplying housing. We need more roads, public transport services, police and health and family services just to keep up,” she said.The inquiry also wants the state government to provide more acute hospital beds in Wyndham and review funding of mental health services.
It found that while 11.2 per cent of Melbourne’s population live in the outer-western suburbs, the region had only 7.7 per cent of the state’s GPs, 4.9 per cent of aged care services and 4.3 per cent of mental health services.
“Many problems we’re experiencing are a result of neglect from state and federal governments,” Cr Marcus said. “Arterial roads are congested, trains are overflowing and we have some of the lowest frequency bus services of any municipality.”
“Without a major increase in infrastructure and service funding, the consequences will be dire.”
