These included election commitments made before the November 2022 election.
We welcome the following funding:
- $1 million for the Port Melbourne Bowling club
- Planning money for the Middle Park Primary School
- $250,000 for the Port Melbourne Surf Life Saving Club
- Continuation of the Westgate Punt ferry service across the Yarra River between Fishermans Bend and Spotswood
- $1.5 million for Williamstown Road Pedestrian Works near the secondary college
- Fishermans Bend Primary School as part of a funding package, opening 2026
- Funding for upgrade to Green Space at Southbank
- Funding for The Alfred Hospital – women’s health clinic
- $100,000 for the Sacred Heart Mission in St Kilda
- Planning money for a Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in St Kilda
- A Neighbourhood Battery for the City of Port Phillip.
The Budget also featured state-wide announcements relevant to many residents including:
- The Best Start, Best Life: Pre Prep and Free Kinder Programs
- cheaper regional fares with them capped at metro prices
- the State Electricity Commission’s reintroduction with an initial $1 billion investment
- free pads and tampons in public places including courts, TAFES,libraries and train stations
- free registration for apprentices and tradies, rising from a previous 50 per cent discount to 100 per cent
- funding for the newest round of the $250 Power Saving Bonus
- funding support for more nurses and midwives, strengthen nurse to patient ratios and improving public health service staffing levels.
Projects such as the Metro Tunnel will also benefit Port Phillip. The Budget delivers funding to prepare the Metro Tunnel for opening, including enabling works and facilities to support Metro Tunnel network integration and operations.
For small business, the Budget increases the payroll tax threshold from $700,000 to $900,000 from July next year, rising to $1 million in 2025. The Government will also move to abolish stamp duty for commercial and industrial properties.
As a strong and vocal advocate for our community, we are considering applying for funding opportunities contained in the Budget including:
- $35 million to support live music and community broadcasting including around 10,000 gigs, getting artists back on stage through grants for musicians to perform at live music venues as well as for music festivals, big and small
- $23 million to expand the Major Events Fund, promoting Victoria’s calendar of events and strengthening Victoria as a top location for major events
- $8 million for the LGBTIQ+ Community Grants Program, which helps community organisations celebrate and connect LGBTIQ+ communities
- $10 million to establish a Green Links fund to support revegetation along creeks, rivers, and waterways
- Funding to provide grants to existing kindergartens to buy new toys and equipment.
Our City is continuing to engage with the State Member for Albert Park Nina Taylor and Victorian Government ministers as we take advantage of the funding provided in the 2023-24 Budget and advocate for additional funding relevant to Port Phillip in the 2024-2025 Victorian Budget.
