At a cafe meeting in Laurimar last week council representatives told Mr Swan the area was the fastest growing in the country, and called on the federal government for support.
But the council will have to wait for the budget to find out if any funds are available because Mr Swan did not commit to their projects.
Whittlesea council gave Mr Swan a package of requests, including:
• $3.8 million to update Whittlesea’s business and tourist district;
• $1.5 million to build a community hall in Laurimar; and
• $3 million over three years to fund family violence and parenting services.
Mayor Rex Griffin also asked again for funds to build an interchange at O’Herns Road and the Hume freeway.
‘‘It will alleviate the pressure of the trucks coming to the fruit and vegetable market,’’ Mr Griffin said.
He said he was seeking a meeting with Premier Denis Napthine to secure funding. The council has been calling for the $110 million interchange for about two years to service truck traffic in the industrial area around the Epping Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market.
Laurimar Primary School principal Darryl Furze added to the council’s wishlist saying a secondary school in the area was urgently needed.
‘‘It’s mind blowing what the growth is going to be, we think it’s bad now…’’ he said.
Mr Swan made no commitments to funding the projects, saying it was a question for the state government.
