Sheed urges local action on Coronavirus funding

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed is urging local not-for-profits, local governments and businesses to take up opportunities under the Working for Victoria Fund.

The fund is currently being rolled out by the Victorian State Government and is a good opportunity for organisations to expand their workforces by devising innovative projects that will employ local people in local jobs, according to Ms Sheed, ensuring retention of the existing workforce and providing wider community benefits through the work undertaken.

Funding has already been allocated to organisations such as FoodBank in Melbourne to employ additional staff to meet the growing needs within the community assembling and delivering food parcels. It has also supported one local government organisation to employ a large group of people to clean the city and over 450 people to assist with the quarantine effort across the state.

“Organisations in the Shepparton District should ensure that they take up these opportunities for funding being offered by the government. There are many areas in our towns that could benefit from this extra support and fast-tracking of projects,” Ms Sheed said.

“We know that local government has had a tree planting program with timeframes extending over a number of years. People could perhaps be employed to complete this project in months. Similarly, the Avenue of Honour on the Goulburn Valley Highway south of Shepparton is in poor condition and in need of refurbishment. Restoration would require hands-on labour which again could be carried out through a local authority.

“Firewood will be required for vulnerable families in the forthcoming winter months and the collection for people in need through an employment program would benefit those families and individuals in need. This is a time to be creative in relation to the sorts of projects that could be put to government.

“I am pleased that local governments in my electorate along with the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority are making applications for funding to take advantage of this opportunity to partner with government to keep our local people in jobs.

“I encourage our local community organisations to urgently respond to the request for funding for projects from the Working for Victoria Fund.”

ENDS

Media contact

Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.com.au

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