FOCUSED ON WHAT MATTERS MOST TO FAMILIES IN LAVERTON
The Allan Labor Government is focused on what matters most to families in Laverton, delivering real help with the cost of living and more investment in frontline services.
The Metro Tunnel will open this year, with twin nine-kilometre tunnels running underneath the CBD and five new underground stations at Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac.
This critical infrastructure investment will double the size of Melbourne’s underground rail network and create a second rail line under the city, as well as five new underground stations at Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac.
It’ll also link the Sunbury line in the north-west with the Cranbourne-Pakenham lines in the south-east, creating a new continuous connection.
And to bring it all to life – this Budget invests $727 million to enable turn-up-and-go services through the Metro Tunnel, and along the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines – meaning more trains for local families.
And by taking trains out of the existing City Loop, we can deliver more trains across our public transport network.
This Budget also invests $46 million for extra train services, including on the Werribee line. These additional services are made possible by the extra capacity created through the City Loop – thanks to the new Metro Tunnel, opening later this year.
For passengers on the Werribee Line that means two additional trains per hour in the mornings and afternoons, increasing the number of trains on the Werribee line from six to eight trains per hour during the morning and afternoon peak periods.
In partnership with the Commonwealth, the Labor Government is building a new transport superhub in Sunshine as the key to delivering Airport Rail and the first step for electrification to Melton.
To fast track the project, the Budget allocates $4 billion towards the Sunshine Station redevelopment – bringing forward $2 billion of the Government's investment in Airport Rail – to kickstart works as soon as possible.
The Sunshine Station Superhub will untangle a complex section of the rail network around Sunshine Station. It will span more than six kilometres of track from West Footscray to Albion, include two new dedicated regional platforms and an extended station concourse – plus a brand-new station at Albion.
Three new rail bridges, new and upgraded tracks, new signalling technology, and realigned passenger and freight lines will also be delivered.
The redeveloped Sunshine Station will be able to support more than 40 metropolitan and regional trains per hour, as well as trains from the Melton and Melbourne Airport lines in future travelling into the Metro Tunnel.
These works will also prepare the station for future upgrades to the rail network in Melbourne’s west, paving the way for more train services for the growing communities of Melton and Wyndham Vale.
Importantly, this investment will mean better public transport connections for local families.
For parents in Laverton, every dollar counts. It’s why we’re making public transport free for Victorians under 18.
It’ll mean savings of up to $755 a year – per child. With free PT for under 18s, we’re ensuring cheaper school runs, more affordable weekends – and one less thing for families to worry about.
It’ll make Victoria the first state to introduce free public transport for kids and teens, with the investment beginning 1 January 2026.
Costs can also add up for seniors. It’s why with this Budget, we’re making statewide public transport free for Victorians aged 60 and over on weekends.
From 1 January 2026, this change will help Victorians with a Seniors Card in Laverton visit the grandkids or experience even more of our state – without the extra expense.
Every day, locals in Laverton rely on roads to get to work, get the kids to school, and stay connected to family and friends. Through this year’s Budget, we’re delivering a massive investment to upgrade and improve local roads.
The $976 million Better Roads Blitz will be dedicated to fixing and resurfacing roads and upgrading intersections to reduce congestion.
With this year’s Budget, we’re getting ready to open the new Footscray Hospital – providing world-class care to families in Melbourne’s west.
It’ll deliver a brand-new emergency department and mental health and alcohol and other drugs hub, as well as treatment and specialist areas. It will also provide expanded radiology and medical imaging services.
Not only will the new Footscray Hospital deliver better care for local families, it’ll also position the inner west as a leading health, education and research precinct.
Those early years for parents can be really tough. But families have told us that Early Parenting Centres make a very real difference. That’s why this Budget invests $22.4 million in Early Parenting Centres across our state – including at our local Wyndham EPC.
It means more support for parents, helping them develop new routines and new confidence. And it’ll set up families in Laverton to flourish.
Getting in to see a GP is hard – especially one who bulk bills. That means too many families in Laverton put off looking after their health.
We are also delivering a continuation of funding for a range of community-based mental health services including Social Inclusion Action Groups such as the one in Brimbank as a part of our $5.97 million commitment to promoting social inclusion, community participation and mental wellbeing.
This Budget invests a further $18 million to enable pharmacists to treat even more Victorians with even more conditions – without a trip to the doctor for a prescription. Previously trialled as the Community Pharmacy Pilot, this investment locks it in for good – and makes it even bigger.
That means pharmacies will be able to treat more conditions with medicines usually only available with a GP script – including allergies, nausea, high blood pressure and minor wound care, with more conditions added progressively over the next two years.
We’re also covering the cost of the consult – ensuring locals can access care for free.
Every family deserves a great local school. And as our population grows, we need to make sure we’re building and upgrading our schools and classrooms in order to keep up.
That’s why we’re investing $37m to deliver the next Stage of works at Bemin Secondary College, opening 2027.The next stage at Bemin Secondary College will support the needs of our growing community – and give every family in Truganina the confidence that they can rely on a great local school.
The west is proudly multicultural, with people of all backgrounds and faiths calling our community home. The Vietnamese community is no exception, with deep roots in Melbourne’s west.
This Budget invests $1.25 million to help complete construction of the Vietnamese Museum Australia (the first in Australia) in Sunshine, bringing this Government’s total investment to almost $10 million.
The Western Suburbs Soccer Club are a fantastic local team in Sunshine West, who bring families together throughout the year. That’s why this Budget invests up to $70,000 for an electronic scoreboard.
We have introduced tough bail laws to keep communities safe.
To deal with the increasing number of alleged offenders being denied bail, this Budget invests $727 million to ramp up capacity in Victoria’s prisons, delivering almost 1,000 extra adult prison beds and 88 youth justice beds, as well as funding to attract, train and support over 700 new prison officers.
A further $13 million will support Australia’s first machete ban, alongside new powers for Victoria Police to search for dangerous weapons.
This Budget also invests $114 million to open and service the Wyndham Law Courts for Melbourne’s rapidly growing west. This creates the largest court complex in Victoria outside Melbourne’s CBD, bringing together the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, Children’s Court of Victoria, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Victoria Police and local community legal centres.
Additional funding will also improve access to the new Law Courts with more bus services to and from Wyndham. We’ve helped local families slash thousands off their power bills by switching to solar and making their homes more energy efficient. This Budget delivers more rebates for energy efficient heat pumps and solar hot water systems, so that more families can save up to $400 a year on their energy bills.
We’re also providing energy bill relief to those doing it tough in Laverton. This Budget delivers a $100 Power Saving Bonus to eligible Victorian households with a concession card, in time for their August winter bills.
This is a Budget – and a Government – focused on what matters most to Victorians.
Quotes attributable to Sarah Connolly, Member for Laverton
“The west is growing fast. That’s why we’re investing in the schools, hospitals, roads, and community facilities locals rely on every day.”
“Free public transport for kids will be a game-changer for Laverton – giving families one less thing to worry about.”
