NORTH Link has submitted comprehensive pre-budget arguments for economic opportunities in Melbourne’s North that will collectively create more than 50,000 jobs and improve the region’s education, health and transport networks.
One in five Melburnians live in Melbourne’s North – around one million people. In the 10 years to 2016, the region’s population grew by 200,000. Pre-pandemic projections show that by 2036, the region’s population will rise to 1.5 million – that’s more than the current population of Adelaide.
The submission to the Victorian Government highlights the role NORTH Link’s priority projects including the La Trobe University expansion and Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal, would play in unlocking the full economic and employment opportunities, futureproofing Melbourne’s North and contributing towards Victoria’s post-pandemic recovery.
“This Pre-Budget Submission is part of NORTH Link’s ongoing advocacy to seek Victorian Government support to help unlock private sector investment though sound planning frameworks and strategic infrastructure support,” NORTH Link Executive Director Chris James said.
The opportunities are informed and endorsed by NORTH Link’s members and partners – spanning education, health research, industry and government sectors – but require planning and policy support to progress transformative job and investment-creating projects.
NORTH Link’s recently released report Future Workforce – Melbourne’s North 2022-2032 found more workers living in Melbourne’s North than there are jobs to service the region. For the gap between local jobs and local workers to close, 182,000 more local jobs are needed by 2031.
Read the full submission here: 20230315 Northlink Budget Submission
Media contact: Chris James – c.james@latrobe.edu.au
NORTH Link is the pre-eminent organisation representing – and advocating for – economic development and liveability in northern metropolitan Melbourne. We communicate regularly with local businesses and organisations of all sizes. Key partners include the municipalities of Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Mitchell, Merri-bek, Nillumbik and Whittlesea, universities and TAFEs, hospitals and health providers and large and small businesses in the region