By Laura Michell
More people living in Craigieburn-Mickleham are without jobs than in any other area in Melbourne’s north.
New federal government small area labour market data shows that 2145 people living in Craigieburn-Mickleham were jobless as of March, 2019. But that number was less than the 2702 in March, 2018.
Statewide, Corio-Norlane had the highest number of unemployed people, with 2543 people without a job at March, 2019.
Across the north, South Morang (1534) and Epping (1511) also had high numbers of joblessness. Sunbury is home to the smallest number of unemployed people in the north, with 242 without a job.
Advocacy group NORTH Link executive director Chris James said the lack of local jobs was making it harder for people to find employment.
“A key problem is that the jobs often aren’t where people live, particularly in the outer north,” he said.
“Government investment policy should continue to aim to attract a variety of firms to the north, including health, manufacturing, transport and business and professional services so residents can work relatively locally.
“We must also improve transport connections to where jobs are – for example, public transport connections to major hubs
like Melbourne Airport, Cooper Street in Epping and La Trobe University need improvement.”
NORTH Link, which represents northern suburbs councils including Whittlesea and Hume, has long been campaigning for the creation of new jobs in the north to help
the region deal with the loss of manufacturing jobs.
One of its main goals is the establishment of a food and beverage industry park in Epping, which it believes will create 7000 jobs in the next decade and grow the food and beverage industry by more than $2 billion.
Mr James said infrastructure projects such as the North East Link and upgrades to arterial roads across the north were also ideal opportunities to help local people secure employment.
