A brand-new childcare and family centre will soon be constructed in Officer South, providing more kindergarten places for children in the fast-growing suburb. Local Government Minister Shaun Leane joined local MPs Harriet Shing and Jordan Crugnale today to turn the first sod on the $7.7..

The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring new career opportunities for forty women who will soon begin training as municipal building surveyors thanks to funding from the Victorian Budget 2020/21. Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane today joined the Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous, Darebin City Council Mayor..

Councils across Victoria this week received increased funding allocations to help them prepare for emergencies, with support made available for planning, education, COVIDSafe initiatives and the hiring of specialist personnel. The Victorian Budget 2020/21 allocated an extra $1 million to the Municipal Emergency Resourcing Program,..

The Andrews Labor Government will introduce reforms to improve the local government rates system in response to a major review. The Local Government Rating System Review, released today, provides an in-depth analysis of Victoria’s rates system. A 2018 election commitment, the review assessed the fairness and equity..

The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring new career opportunities for women in local government, with applications open for the Women Building Surveyors Program. Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane unveiled the $6.3 million program which will create 40 positions for women looking to re-train as municipal..

The Andrews Labor Government is investing in public libraries across Victoria with a record level of funding. Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane has announced $45.8 million in funding to support public libraries across Victoria to buy new books and collection items, run online services..

The Andrews Labor Government is honoring more of the state’s war history with the elevation of Williamstown’s HMAS Castlemaine to the Victorian Heritage Register. A Bathurst-class Minesweeper, the HMAS Castlemaine is one of eight vessels of its kind to be constructed at the Williamstown Naval..

As tough as 2020 has been, we’re reminded of just how important our neighbours and our neighbourhoods really are. The Victorian Budget 2020/21 will continue to build strong, connected communities – recognising that investing in our communities means investing in the people who call them home. With $148..

This year we’ve been reminded that the greatest strength of our state is our people. That’s why the Victorian Budget 2020/21 will invest more than $88 million in our communities who supported each other throughout the year — to make their links even stronger. Throughout the pandemic,..

The Andrews Labor Government is on track to reach gender parity in councils by 2025 with a record number of women elected in the 2020 Local Government elections. With results now confirmed by the Victorian Electoral Commission, 272 women will take their place on councils..

The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring accountability and transparency in local government with the release of the latest performance data for Victoria’s 79 councils. Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane has welcomed the data, which shows councils have served an important role during the coronavirus..

The Victorian Government is continuing to support veterans and their families, with the latest round of grants injecting more than $1.1 million in mental health and welfare support. Minister for Veterans Shaun Leane today announced all the successful recipients from three separate veterans’ grants programs,..

Greater Shepparton’s Italian Ossario has been added to the Victorian Heritage Register, as part of commemorations to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two. The site, also known as the Murchison Ossasio, is one of only two foreign war cemeteries in..

The Victorian Government is investing $42 million into planning for school infrastructure projects to fast-track the state’s long-term economic recovery hit by the coronavirus pandemic.   Shaun Leane MP, Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region announced Vermont Secondary College is one of 33 further schools given..

An advice line backed by the Victorian Government for veterans in need of welfare support and advice on services has received thousands of enquiries since it was established in the response to the coronavirus pandemic in June. Minister for Veterans Shaun Leane and RSL Victoria..

A record number of women have nominated as candidates in Victoria’s local government elections, with ballots to be posted to millions of voters around the state next week. A century on from the election of Victoria’s first woman councillor, Mary Rogers in Richmond City Council,..

The Victorian Government’s Neighbourhood Activity Centre Renewal Fund is delivering a boost for Brentford Square as part of the Building Works Program. The $3 million Neighbourhood Activity Centre Renewal Fund is providing dozens of local suburban shopping strips with grants to stimulate business activity, support local..

Victorians from all backgrounds are being encouraged to stand as candidates when nominations for local government elections open next week. Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane said that serving on council was an opportunity for people to represent their community, play a role in Victoria’s..