Thursday, 24 February 2022

Growing Suburbs Fund

Mr MAAS (Narre Warren South) (17:20): (6243) My adjournment matter that I wish to raise is for the attention of the Minister for Local Government and concerns the Growing Suburbs Fund. The action I seek is that the minister provide further information on how the Growing Suburbs Fund is supporting my electorate of Narre Warren South. As I informed the house last sitting week, I recently joined the Minister for Local Government and my neighbouring MPs for the announcement of $926 000 towards the $1.7 million Gwendoline Children’s Centre upgrade in partnership with the City of Casey. It was certainly worthy of a front page on the Berwick Star News, as was the Clyde level crossing removal today.

This Growing Suburbs Fund investment will deliver renewed facilities, including updated kindergarten rooms and a redesigned maternal and child health area, and modernise the family and children’s centre to support our youngest students through their early years. I understand that the Growing Suburbs Fund has supported some 28 projects throughout Casey, including in the member for Gembrook’s electorate, and it has done this since 2015. These projects help to bring our growing community together with the facilities they deserve. It really is important that this government continues investing in our local community services and facilities, and the Growing Suburbs Fund has been instrumental in delivering local projects with the backing and support of the City of Casey, including upgrades of halls, community centres and reserves. I would like to thank the minister for his support of local projects, including early childhood services in Narre Warren South. I would appreciate any further information on how the Growing Suburbs Fund and indeed the investment in Gwendoline Children’s Centre will benefit my electorate, and I look forward to sharing the minister’s response with the whole community.