Lily D'Ambrosio

Police in Melbourne’s north will be patrolling with body-worn cameras to better respond to and investigate crime thanks to a multi-million-dollar investment from the Andrews Labor Government. Minister for Police Lisa Neville today launched the first stage of the Victoria Police state-wide roll out of body worn cameras, which will see 150 cameras deployed this month. The roll out will go live today with police in Epping wearing the devices. The new small, battery‐powered cameras will be worn on the uniform of general duties police officers as part of a six-week pilot of the new technology. Information from the trial will help inform police policies and procedures ahead of the full rollout of 11,000 cameras to police officers working in the community right across Victoria by 2020. The investment is a part of the Government’s record $227 million technology investment, which is modernising police technology through the delivery of a new intelligence system and the ongoing rollout of iPads to police and Protective Service Officers (PSOs). Recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence called for the trial and evaluation of body worn cameras to collect statements from victims to use as evidence in court. The cameras will help strengthen community safety, and help to improve transparency and accountability in police interactions with the public. They can be used to capture audio and video interactions between police officers and members of the public and real‐time capture video evidence at the scene of a crime. Police will turn the cameras on whenever they are exercising police powers, collecting evidence or when it would provide transparency to a police interaction. Strict laws were introduced last year to ensure adequate protections are in place against the unauthorised disclosure of footage. The technology will support the Labor Government’s more than $2 billion police investment, which includes a record recruitment of 3135 new police. Quotes attributable to Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny “We’re giving police in Melbourne’s north the most advanced technology in the country to help them do their jobs and keep Victorians safe.” Quotes attributable to Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio  “These cameras will help strengthen community safety, improve evidence gathering, and increase accountability and better interaction between police and the community.” Quotes attributable to Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green “The Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to give police the technology they need to target and investigate crime, and support a safer community in Melbourne’s north.”

Local projects will be chosen by local residents under a new community building fund, which will see Victorians nominate and decide on their own funding priorities. The new grassroots democracy program, Pick My Project, will be backed by $30 million from the Victorian Budget 2018/19 and will be spread across the state, giving every community the chance to benefit. In a Victorian-first, all residents aged 16 and over will be able to submit their idea for consideration under the program. All they’ll need is an idea that helps build a stronger community, and the backing of a local organisation, community group, school, local council, or other eligible group able to help deliver the project. Ideas could include anything from sporting and recreation infrastructure, community arts projects, improvements to community facilities or the local environment. Projects will need to be feasible and have land-owner consent, but there will be no restrictive guidelines – meaning many local priorities that fall-between the cracks of other grant programs will be eligible for funding. Communities will then get to vote for the projects they think are most important, giving local residents the first and final say on the best way to improve their local area. Projects between $20,000 and $200,000 will be eligible under the program, with funding spread between the nine Regional Partnership Regions and six Metropolitan Partnership Regions. The Budget will also provide a $50 million boost to Growing Suburbs Fund to deliver more vital community infrastructure projects across Melbourne’s booming outer suburbs, in line with local council priorities. The initiative will start in May and winning projects will be announced in September 2018. To get ready and register your interest, visit pickmyproject.vic.gov.au Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews “Locals know their own backyard better than anyone else. This is about putting community funding decisions back in the hands of communities.” “Everyone has an idea about how to make their neighbourhood a better place. Now – just by convincing your neighbours – you’ll be able to make your idea a reality.” Quote attributable to Minister for Suburban Development Lily D’Ambrosio “The power of community ideas can’t be underestimated – this is about helping local residents come together to improve their neighbourhood.” Quote attributable to Minister for Local Government Marlene Kairouz “This boost to the Growing Suburbs Fund will deliver more vital infrastructure to our booming outer suburbs.” Quote attributable to Member for Eltham Vicki Ward “We want to hear from young people, sporting clubs, community groups, schools, everyone who is active and involved in our local communities – because they are the ones who know better than anyone what is needed.”

The Andrews Labor Government is delivering action on climate change by helping Victorian organisations lead the development of new ideas to help Victoria reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio today announced 24 successful recipients of $4.3 million in Climate Change Innovation grants. The grants program is designed to foster action, innovation and collaboration between businesses, industry, researchers and government and drive greater investment. The program recognises Victoria’s significant industry capabilities, including education and professional services, that make us well placed to tackle climate change. Grant recipients include: Precision Agriculture Pty Ltd, for their project, which will demonstrate on dairy farms how variable rate application of fertiliser can reduce the amount of free nitrogen released into the atmosphere Deakin University for the Fridge Off Grid project, which will show a reduction in expenses, power consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by removing refrigerators from the grid through development of a portable solar panel & power storage units Wodonga City Council, for their community solar project, which is implementing a working example of a community renewable energy model not seen before, that provides benefits to the entire community, including helping adaptation for low income households. All projects hope to have a broader application across the state in future. The grants program is part of the Labor Government’s action on climate, which includes delivering strong Climate Change Framework and significant investment in renewable energy, and are part of the Government’s $5.6 million investment in the Virtual Centre for Climate Change Innovation Program. Victoria is taking action on climate change, and delivering VRET targets of 25 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2025. The Virtual Centre for Climate Change Innovation will run a workshop in April for grant recipients. Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio “We are delivering real action on climate change by helping companies across Victoria implement new ideas to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” “This is about helping some of Victoria’s best and brightest minds achieve even greater things in combatting climate change.”

GETTING ON WITH MELBOURNE’S MISSING ROAD LINK Procurement for Victoria’s biggest ever transport project, the North East Link, will start within the first 100 days of a re-elected Andrews Labor Government. Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio joined Premier Daniel Andrews and Roads Minister Luke Donnellan to announce fast-tracked planning for the project. The Victorian Budget 2018/19 will provide $110 million to fast track detailed planning and design works so that the search for a builder to construct the massive project can start immediately after the election. The $16.5 billion project will slash congestion across Melbourne’s north east, take thousands of trucks off local roads and create more than 10,000 new jobs. Travel times between Melbourne’s north and south will be cut by up to 30 minutes in each direction. When the road opens, it will take up to 15,000 trucks off local streets each day, and more than 9,000 vehicles off traffic hotspots like Rosanna Road, Lower Plenty Road and Fitzsimons Lane. Keeping local roads for local people is a priority, so residents have better access to railway stations, shops and services. This year’s budget will fund planning works and the over-arching blueprint which will guide construction. Planning studies and community consultation are well underway following the announcement of a project corridor last year. Locals will be the first to see further design work on the project within weeks, with the full reference design to be released later this year. The project design will be refined to include public feedback and to make sure the most efficient plans are in place before the project is put to market and a builder chosen. For more information about the project, visit northeastlink.gov.au Quotes attributable to Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio “The long overdue North East Link will connect our community to Melbourne’s south and east and deliver massive benefits to local businesses big and small.” “Whether it’s North East Link, the M80 Ring Road Upgrade, Plenty Road or Mernda Rail – only Labor is investing in the transport infrastructure our community needs.”

The Andrews Labor Government will build more than 70 new car parking spaces at Epping Station as part of the biggest one-off boost to train station parking in Victoria's history. The Victorian Budget 2018/19 will provide $60 million to build more than 2,000 new parking spaces, deliver more secure storage facilities for cyclists and improve access for pedestrians at key stations across Melbourne. The funding will boost will deliver 74 new parking spaces at Epping Station – a significant increase on the 40 spaces currently available. Parking at Belgrave, Sandown Park and Craigieburn stations will also be boosted, and other stations will be considered for upgrades as part of the package. The extra spaces mean commuters will no longer clog up neighbouring streets with their cars and will free up more car parking for local traders, shoppers and residents. The extra spaces add to the more than 3,000 new and upgraded car parks the Labor Government has built at metropolitan and regional train stations over the past three years to help more commuters get a car park when they take the train. Sites were chosen based on current capacity and demand, available transport land and population growth area data. For more information, visit victrack.com.au/carparkupgrades.   Quotes attributable to Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny “Epping Station has desperately needed more car parking spaces. These 74 new spaces will ease some of the pain for both commuters boarding trains at Epping and residents who have to put up with cars clogging up their streets. The Mernda rail extension that Labor is building will also free up parking spaces as residents further down the line will be able to park at a station closer to them.” “The Andrews Labor Government is helping turn our northern suburbs into greater and greater places to live.” Quotes attributable to Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio “The Andrews Labor Government is making sure that train station parking is more accessible for locals and commuters. We’re making it easier to get a park at Epping Station, and to get home again safer and sooner at the end of the day.”

The Andrews Labor Government’s $600 million Mernda Rail Extension is six months ahead of schedule, with the first test trains to Mernda to be running by the end of September. Acting Premier and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan, joined Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio and Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green in Mernda today to announce train testing will begin months earlier than expected. It was a Labor Government that extended the line from Epping to South Morang and the early opening of the new rail line from South Morang to Mernda continues the Andrews Labor Government’s record of delivering major public transport projects ahead of schedule. To date, the project has excavated more than 21,000 cubic metres of basalt rock from under McDonalds Road and South Morang Station, and new rail has started arriving on overnight rail trains to South Morang. Over coming months, works will continue on signalling, electrical systems and station buildings, and track will continue to be laid from South Morang to Mernda. In order for testing of trains to begin ahead of schedule, construction will ramp up over the coming months, including extending work hours in some key locations. The Labor Government also revealed the names of the three new stations today – Mernda, Hawkstowe and Middle Gorge. Mernda Rail will deliver better transport and facilities for local residents – with three new stations, community and open spaces, better connections for pedestrians and cyclists and improved access overall. The three new stations are expected to cater for up to 8,000 commuters a day, helping ease congestion along Plenty Road. A new shared user path will connect the stations and provide alternative transport options. Passenger trains will begin after a comprehensive testing and commissioning period, with details of dates and timetables to be finalised in coming months. Quotes attributable to Acting Premier and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan “We’re getting it done – Mernda Rail Extension is ahead of schedule, creating thousands of jobs and giving people in our fastest growing suburbs the transport they deserve.” “Work has progressed well and we expect to begin testing trains by the end of September. It’s a wonderful result for communities in Melbourne’s north.” Quote attributable to Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green “This is great news for the people of South Morang, Mernda and surrounding areas. I’d like to thank teams here on site who have worked so hard since construction started last April.” Quote attributable to Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio “It won’t be long until people will be able to catch the train to get where they need to work, school or wherever they need to go – which is exciting for our local community.”

The Andrews Labor Government is modernising the state’s Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) to support jobs and improve the long-term management of Victoria’s forests. The Labor Government announced today that the East Gippsland, Central Highlands and North East RFAs will be extended until 2020, when the West Victoria RFA and Gippsland RFAs are due to expire. The two-year extension will provide certainty for current timber harvesting operations, and the workers they support. The extension will also provide time for extensive consultation with scientific bodies, industry and the community to modernise the state’s RFA framework and better manage Victoria’s forests. At the same time, the Labor Government announced it will provide immediate protection to approximately 2,500 hectares of high environmental-value forest in and around the Kuark Forest. About half this area is old growth forest and provides essential habitat for threatened species, including the greater glider. In addition, the Labor Government will protect all large, old trees greater than two-and-a-half metres in diameter across Victoria. A program of landscape, and pre-harvest surveys will also be introduced, to provide greater operational certainty to VicForests and improve the management and protection of threatened species in timber harvesting coupes. RFAs are agreements between the Federal Government and states that seek to balance economic, social and environmental values of forests. Victoria’s RFAs were developed in the 1990s. Since then, there have since been major advances in forest science since, including the role forests play in water security and the emerging impacts of climate change, and a greater recognition of the rights of Traditional Owners. The Labor Government will now engage with Victorian communities – including Traditional Owners and industry – to ensure the next set of RFAs provide for the long-term sustainable management of Victoria’s forests. Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio “We’re providing certainty for workers, while we protect Victoria’s forests and modernise the way they are managed.” “Our RFAs are more than 20 years old, and don’t reflect modern forest science or the needs of local communities – that’s why it’s so important to modernise these agreements and get them right.” “This is about protecting more old growth forests like the Kuark Forest and protecting threatened species so future generations can appreciate them.”

Entries in the 2018 Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Awards – which recognise individuals, communities, organisations and businesses that are leading the way to a sustainable future – have been officially opened. The 2018 Premier’s Sustainability Awards categories are: Built Environment Community Education Environmental Justice Environmental Protection Government Health Innovative Products or Services Small and Medium Enterprises Large Business Entries in 2017 included a small business that uses new technology to clean without chemicals, a unique program that recycles discarded hotel soap for use in disadvantaged communities, a new type of residential development that uses less energy, and a program that is rebuilding Port Phillip Bay’s long-lost oyster reefs. Victoria is taking action on climate change, and delivering VRET targets of 25 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2025 and zero net emissions by 2050. Entries are open now. For more information go to sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio “The Premier’s Sustainability Awards is an opportunity to recognise Victorians who are leading the way in sustainable practices across all sectors.” “We know that more and more Victorian businesses, not-for-profit organisations, community groups and government programs are implementing sustainable practices.” “Many Victorian organisations are nation leading in their sustainable practices and I encourage them to enter the Premier’s Sustainability Awards this year to inspire others to think more creatively about the work that they do.”