Wednesday, 15 May 2024

 Sam HIBBINS (Prahran) (10:04): I have been pleased to advocate on behalf of Stonnington Community Assist, a volunteer-led organisation in the Prahran electorate that have now been allocated funding in this year’s state budget – much-needed funds to enable them to continue and expand the important work that they do providing vital support and material aid like food to the most in need in our community. Their services have been in increasingly high demand due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Disappointingly, however, there was no funding allocated in the budget to St Kilda Primary School and their much-needed community hub. The school lacks an indoor space large enough for the whole school to congregate and for assemblies, performances and community activities. This limits the school’s ability to provide physical education, wellbeing programs and after-school care. Again, there was no money to implement the second entrance needed at Windsor station, which is needed to improve access and complete the Windsor Siding master plan that council has been undertaking; no funding for safe and separated bike lanes on Chapel Street north, despite this being one of Melbourne’s most dangerous cycling routes; and no funding for the relocation of the Port Phillip and Malvern SES units, despite existing facilities being crowded and inaccessible, resulting in delays or the units being ill equipped to respond to emergencies. I will continue to fight for these organisations so our community gets the funding that it needs.