Hobsons Bay City Council, the Victorian Government, Victoria Police and local community members are working together in partnership to revitalise and strengthen the Laverton community. In July 2006, Laverton played host to a Victorian State Government Community Forum where it was announced that Laverton was the first site selected for a statewide community renewal program. Included in the announcements was access to a $7.5 million State Government renewal fund, established to fund community renewal projects.
Community members are already starting to see results with an innovative jobs program, ‘Project 3028’, now underway. Project 3028 encourages unemployed Laverton residents to enroll in a free six week skills and development training course that can lead to a 12 month supported work placement.
Project 3028 provides a means for unemployed residents to refine their skills and increase their confidence through training and placement with a partner employer, which will give them much higher prospects of becoming employed in the long term.
Other projects being developed as part of the renewal program include extensive landscaping and beautification works in Bladin Street, consideration for a community bus and planning for activities that will increase physical activity in the area.
The renewal project is being carried in line with the objectives of the Council and State Government’s blueprint for Laverton, the ‘Laverton Community Action Plan 2006-2015’. This plan aims to identify priority issues in Laverton and provides a long term strategy to strengthen the Laverton community.
