Jill Hennessy MP

Friday 26 February 2021 AIRCRAFT STATION WORK TAKES OFF Major works have kicked off to build a brand-new underpass for commuters, pedestrians and cyclists in Laverton, connecting both sides of the rail line and making it easier and safer to reach the platforms. The package of works – which also includes 100 extra parking spaces along with new shade, seating and landscaping – follow on from the removal of the Aviation Road level crossing in 2019. Currently, passengers need to walk across one set of tracks to reach the station’s single island platform, meaning they need to wait for safety gates to open every time a train passes through. This outdated arrangement will be replaced by a spacious, well-lit and modern walkway under the tracks. Large earthworks machinery has now kicked off construction of a temporary freight track, the first step in major construction. This piece of rail, known a ‘slew’ track, will allow essential freight operations to continue – including the delivery of fresh produce from farms in Victoria’s south west through to Melbourne. Excavation under the tracks will then start in the second quarter of 2021, following a design configured to allow for expansion of the rail corridor for the Geelong Fast Rail project. This future project will add dedicated new tracks for regional services between Werribee and Laverton. The brand-new Aircraft Station underpass will benefit local businesses by providing direct access across the rail line from RAAF Williams-Laverton to the Aviation Road shops. On a typical day, around 1900 people are on the RAAF base. In the second half of 2021, construction will start on 100 new parking spaces, to be delivered as part of the $150 million Car Parks for Commuters Program. The upgrade will nearly triple the current formal capacity, making life easier for commuters and easing pressure on local streets used for spill-over parking. All upgrades at Aircraft Station will be complete by the end of this year. Across Melbourne, the Victorian Government has already removed a total of 45 level crossings and delivered 20 new or upgraded stations, with 22 more sites in construction or planning for removal by 2025. Along the Werribee line, works continue to remove the dangerous and congested level crossing at Cherry Street, Werribee by Easter, following the opening of a brand-new rail bridge at Werribee Street, Werribee. Yet another crossing at Old Geelong Road, Hoppers Crossing will be gone for good by 2022.     Quotes attributable to the Member for Altona District Jill Hennessy “We’ve already removed the notorious Aviation Road level crossing, and local commuters tell me it is making a world of difference to how they get around the area.” “These works will take the hassle out of catching a train from Aircraft Station, and make it much, much easier to find a park.”   

Wednesday 10 February 2021 STATEMENT ON EXXONMOBIL This morning Exxon Mobil announced their decision to close the Altona fuel refinery. We know this is an incredibly sad day for workers and their families, and our thoughts are with the many people impacted by this. This is challenging news, but you have this government’s full support. The West has a rich industrial past, and the refinery has played a key role in that - operating for decades and employing generations of workers. This is a highly skilled workforce and our priority is assisting them wherever possible to find other employment in advanced manufacturing and other areas suitable to their tailored skillsets. Please be assured that as your local members, we will continue to speak with Exxon Mobil and unions as a matter of urgency to understand how we can best support the employees and families impacted by today’s devastating announcement.

The Andrews Labor Government is investing $7976 in the Altona Lifesaving Club to improve infrastructure and facilities, backing the important work that our volunteers do...

The Andrews Labor Government has reaffirmed its commitment to fix Victoria’s mental health system, with new figures confirming the impact on our local community. These figures, included in the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System’s interim report, highlight the acute strain placed on mental health services in the western region. The interim report demonstrates the current impact on our system, with occupancy of public acute adult mental health beds at North Western Mental Health at 94 per cent. The recommended average is 85 per cent. The Commission also highlighted the expected growth in mental health presentations. Right now, per 100,000 people, North Western Mental Health has only 15.7 beds – a rate expected to decline by 12 per 100,000 by 2031 if no additional action is taken. Our local providers are keenly aware of the pressures on Victoria’s mental health system. And yet, the issue of mental health hasn’t been taken seriously enough, with mental illness costing Victoria $14.2 billion annually and costing our community in lives. In handing down its interim report, the Royal Commission also provided key reforms that can be addressed immediately, including: Establishing 135 new public acute mental health inpatient beds to address critical demand pressures, proportionally allocated to Barwon Health and Melbourne Health, in alliance with Northern Health and Western Health Expanding culturally safe services for Aboriginal Victorians by establishing social and emotional wellbeing teams in ACCHOs across Victoria and funding scholarships for clinical mental health qualifications (teams will be located in metropolitan and regional areas across the state) The Royal Commission is about building a coordinated, quality mental health system from the ground up – a system that will support Victorians and their families when they need it most. The Commission will hold further public hearings later this year before delivering its final report in October.   Quotes attributable to Member for Altona District Jill Hennessy “Whether we've experienced it ourselves or watched a loved one suffer – everyone in our community has felt the impact of mental health.” “Locally, we’ve seen people left on waiting lists, when the last thing they can afford to do is wait.” “It's why we’re giving mental health the attention it deserves – building a proper system from the ground up. Make no mistake, this will save lives.”

Point Cook College will receive funding from the Accessible Buildings Program, to improve school facilities and infrastructure that supports students and staff with disabilities, thanks to the Victorian Government. Minister for Education James Merlino today announced that Point Cook College has been allocated funding from the Accessible Buildings Program to promote inclusive learning environments, through improved access to modern and functional learning spaces in Victorian schools. The funding will assist Point Cook College in the construction of wheelchair access ramps and paths to ensure students and staff have access to appropriate school facilities, in line with their peers and colleagues. The program adjusts facilities to meet the needs of those with existing disabilities, as well as disabilities that occur as a result of an accident or the deterioration of existing conditions. The Labor Government is building the Education State to ensure that every student can access a great local school and get a great education. Under the Labor Government’s school building boom, a total of 100 new schools will open by 2026, ensuring every child can access a great local school where students can achieve their best. Since 2015, it has invested more than $6.1 billion to deliver new primary and secondary schools, and upgrade more than 1,400 existing ones. Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino “The program helps to ensure all Victorian government students of all abilities can get a great education and have access to modern, functional learning spaces to give them the best chance to succeed and thrive in school and in life.” Quotes attributable to Member for Altona District Jill Hennessy “It is a basic human right that students of all abilities can get a great education – no matter their circumstances.”