Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton visited Kalkallo on Monday 13 January, where he was welcomed by the Mayors of Hume City Council, City of Whittlesea, Mitchell Shire Council and local community members to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing fast-growing communities.
The visit provided an important opportunity for Council to highlight the unique pressures facing Victoria's fastest-growing municipality. With a population doubling every 11 years and an average annual growth rate of 6.46%, Mitchell Shire is experiencing unprecedented demand for services, infrastructure, and support.
During the meeting, Council advocated for key priorities critical to supporting our rapidly growing community, including:
- Investment in transformative infrastructure projects, such as the $163 million Greenhill Sports, Recreation, Aquatic, and Environmental Precinct in Wallan, which would provide much-needed facilities, including a gymnastics precinct and aquatics centre.
- Increased funding for road maintenance and upgrades, through a dedicated $50 million untied funding package to address the condition of local roads.
- Better access to local health and human services, including locally based mental health services.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Councillor John Dougall thanked Mr Dutton for taking the time to listen to the challenges facing our community.
"We appreciate the opportunity to share Mitchell Shire's story with Mr Dutton and to advocate for the support our community so urgently needs," he said.
"Our population is changing and growing; therefore, we need continued support by both the Federal and State Governments to ensure our community is not left behind in accessing vital services and infrastructure.
"Council will continue to advocate for these investments with all levels of government, ensuring the needs of Mitchell Shire's growing and diverse population remain a priority."
