In a focused effort to advance regional priorities, the NCA and NORTH Link brought together Mayors, council CEOs and regional leaders for a delegation to Victorian Parliament in mid-October.

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Our delegation comprised a strong cross-section of leaders, including Mayors and CEOs from member Councils and senior representatives from Melbourne Polytechnic, Northern Health and Kangan Institute.

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Through discussions with Ministers and the Opposition, we highlighted the opportunities and challenges facing Melbourne’s north.

 

We emphasised the importance of coordinated investment in transport, employment and health to support our region’s continued growth.

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Key meetings included:

• with the Hon Sonya Kilkenny MP, Attorney-General and Minister for Planning, to talk about the need for enabling infrastructure to support precincts and housing

 

• with the Hon Harriet Shing MP, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Housing and Building, and Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts, to talk about the need for enabling infrastructure to support precincts and housing

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• with the Hon Colin Brooks MP, Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing, and Minister for Creative Industries, to give an update on regional priorities, in particular enabling infrastructure such as buses

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• with Brad Battin MP, Leader of the Opposition, along with Bev McArthur MP, Evan Mulholland MP, Richard Welch MP, Wendy Lovell MP, Cindy McLeish MP, David Davies and Gaelle Broad, to provide information on regional priorities

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• with Josh Bull MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure Delivery and Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, to discuss the urgent need for transport upgrades and investment

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• upper house MP Anasina Gray-Barberio to discuss key issues in the north

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• our local MPs: Bronwyn Halfpenny, Parliamentary Secretary for Roads; Iwan Walters, Parliamentary Secretary for Disability and Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs; and Kathleen Matthews Ward, to give an update on regional priorities and activities

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• a number of senior advisers and departmental officials from both the government and Opposition.​

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Across these meetings we emphasised the urgency of our infrastructure priorities and the opportunities they present, from expanding and improving transport to strengthening health service provision and enhancing liveability.

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Our delegation built a strong foundation for future collaboration with the Victorian Government. The message was clear; Melbourne’s north is growing and we need coordinated investment to match.

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We thank all the MPs who gave their time and support to our advocacy, and we look forward to continued discussion.