The shortfall in critical services for families, children and young people will be a major election issue in the north with 45 local agencies uniting to secure commitments from state politicians to improve the situation.
Whittlesea Community Futures (WCF), a network of high-profile local agencies, will launch a Families on the Edge campaign this Thursday at Parliament House.
The event is expected to be attended by MPs from all parties and chief executives of 45 human service organisations committed to the well-being of City of Whittlesea communities.
The campaign aims to improve the well-being of Whittlesea communities through better support and services, focusing on:
• Family violence
• Young people
• Financial hardship
• Community and assisted transport
• Children and families.
Max Lee, WCF advocacy chairman and chief executive of the Hume Whittlesea Primary Care Partnership, said the consequences of the gap in services were enormous.
“The recently released Fairer Funding report found Melbourne’s outer suburbs face years of significant disadvantage unless billions of dollars are invested in them,” Mr Lee said.
“The City of Whittlesea is one of the fastest-growing areas in Australia. More than 8000 people move in each year.
“This growth places significant demand on education, community and health services, roads and transport.
This demand has not been met by public investment.”
With the support of the Star Weekly, WCF will be paying close attention to who in politics is serious about the alarming trend of underfunding Melbourne’s outer suburbs.
Mr Lee is urging residents to get involved to ensure the message makes an impact.
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