Premier’s foreword Melbourne is far more than just its city centre. Our suburbs, and all the people who’ve chosen to make their home there, are integral to our state’s success. It means that as our population and our suburbs continue to grow, governments at every level must continue to keep pace. It’s why we’ve established a Suburban Development portfolio – focused on making sure governments, businesses and communities work together across Melbourne’s suburbs. To support this work – and to make sure we’re listening to the people who know communities best – we’ve established six new Metropolitan Partnerships. Covering the breadth of Melbourne, these partnerships encompass the Southern, Eastern, Northern, Western, Inner South- East and Inner Metro regions. This work is further guided by our Five Year Jobs, Services and Infrastructure Plans for Melbourne’s regions. We see these plans as the foundation for greater engagement and collaboration between the Victorian Government and local communities. Together, we can ensure that as Melbourne grows, our infrastructure - our roads, transport, schools and hospitals - meet the needs of local residents. And together, we can make our suburbs even stronger. The Hon Daniel Andrews MP Premier of Victoria 2 Eastern Metro Region Five Year Plan
Investing in jobs and the economy Victoria leads the nation in jobs growth. According to ABS data, approximately 98,300 additional jobs were created in Victoria in the year to August 2017. This is more than a third of the 284,800 additional jobs created nationally in the same period. The Victorian Government is backing the economy and growth with major investments in projects, industries and ideas to encourage small businesses to grow and big businesses to invest, creating more jobs for Victorians. As well as nurturing sectors and encouraging innovation, the government is supporting workers affected by industry transition, and disadvantaged jobseekers. Major investments include the $1 billion Jobs for Victoria package unveiled in the 2016–17 Budget, the Premier’s Jobs and Investment Fund, and the $273 million Future Industries Fund, which supports job creation in eight high-growth sectors: construction technologies international education professional services defence technologies food and medical technologies and pharmaceuticals new-energy technologies transport technologies. The Victorian Government is investing in major infrastructure projects that create employment in the construction sector across Victoria. In the Eastern Metro Region, the government has commenced planning to complete the North East Link; eight of the most dangerous and congested level crossings are being removed; and record investments in modernising and upgrading education assets are underway. To further support the region’s key industries, the government is supporting the development of the Monash NEIC. As Melbourne’s second largest concentration of jobs outside the CBD, the Monash NEIC is well positioned to grow jobs close to where people live. Challenges for the region are an ageing population and the loss of knowledge workers to the Melbourne CBD. The increasing number of commuter trips by workers is placing a strain on current transport infrastructure, resulting in increasing commute times and congestion. Creating more employment within the key centres in Melbourne’s east will provide more employment opportunities closer to home for Melbourne’s east residents and can help ensure quality of life for residents and prosperity for the region.