WORKING TOGETHER TO RE-OPEN VICTORIA - SAFELY

The Victorian Government will release its reopening roadmap this Sunday, 6 September, providing certainty and clarity to communities and businesses alike.

Ahead of this release, the Government will commence an intensive, and extensive, round of discussions with industry, unions and community organisations to inform the final development of Victoria’s roadmap to ‘COVID Normal’.

This consultation will be based around six principles for industry on a COVIDSafe re-opening, based on the best advice from our public health experts – and imperative to keeping our community safe.

We need the voices of industry to inform how this re-opening can happen practically, safely and steadily. This will be vital to planning what a ‘COVID Normal’ will look like, industry by industry.

Many of the key principles are things Victorian businesses and workplaces continue to practice every day:

• Ensuring physical distancing, including following density requirements, making sure staff work from home wherever possible, limiting the total number of staff and customers in an enclosed area, and stopping carpooling
   
• Wearing a face covering at all times in the workplace and ensuring full PPE is worn in high-risk settings
   
• Requiring hygienic workplaces, with high-touch points regularly cleaned, staff regularly washing their hands, and hand sanitisers available for all staff and customers
   
• Continuing to act quickly if staff become unwell by having a strict policy that supports them to stay home and get tested, even if they have mild symptoms. All places of work need to have a plan to act immediately if there is a confirmed case and records must be kept of all staff, customers and visitors.

Recognising there is no one size fits all solution, the Government will commit to tailoring guidance to different industries as part of the roadmap.

Additionally, wherever possible, workforce bubbles should be created to limit the number of staff who have prolonged and close contact with each other. To achieve this, teams of staff could be rostered on the same shifts, with no overlap in shift changes and a reduction in staff working across multiple sites.

Under the proposed framework, meetings and lunchtimes could also look different, with enclosed spaces avoided wherever possible.  Opening doors and windows for airflow rather than relying only on recirculated air and moving tearooms and lunch breaks outside – along with meetings and team catch-ups – all help to reduce risk.

As part of our work to finalise a roadmap, the Government will also consult with community support organisations on the impacts of social isolation on Victorians.

The Government will also seek feedback on the current worker permit system and childcare arrangements – and these insights will be vital as we transition to a ‘COVID Normal.’

Engagement with industry, unions and community organisations will take place from today, with advice to then be provided to Victoria’s public health team who will consider feedback as work on the roadmap continues.

Based on the outcomes of these consultations, the Government and our health experts will finalise the plan for re-opening by the end of the week.

For more information about consultations contact Business Victoria on 13 22 15.

VICTORIANS REMINDED TO KEEP GETTING TESTED

Victorians are urged not to become complacent even after successive days of lower case numbers.

While it is encouraging that daily case numbers are beginning to stabilise, we have also seen a concerning drop off in testing rates in recent days.

We’ve said all along that we will be guided by what the data tells us, so the more tests we can do to understand how this virus is spreading in the community, the better.

Without consistently strong testing numbers, low case numbers alone won't give us confidence we need to begin easing restrictions.

Victorians have worked incredibly hard to follow the rules and drive community transmission numbers down – we can’t let all that effort go to waste by letting our guard down now.

So if you have symptoms, however mild, please get tested.

• The applicant must be a private individual (i.e. a person) or joint landlords who are private individuals (i.e. not ownership through Self-Managed Superannuation Fund, Trust or any other incorporated entity).
• The applicant must have total taxable landholdings of less than $1 million
• The commercial property is leased to an eligible tenant under CTRS.
• They have provided rent relief to the tenant in a form that meets the requirements of the CTRS. The rent relief must be at least 30 per cent of total rent payable, of which half needs to be in the form of a waiver.
• They are or will be experiencing financial hardship due to reducing rent for the relevant CTRS-eligible tenant.

The Victorian Government will provide more support to help businesses and workers through to the other side of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Government has today announced a $534 million Business Support Package – the latest support measures on top of the $6 billion in economic relief already invested since the pandemic began.

We will be providing:

• Business Support Fund:
  $5,000 grants to eligible businesses with payrolls up to $3 million that are participating in JobKeeper. This is on top of any payroll tax refund or initial $10,000 Business Support grant they have already received.
   
• Night-time Economy:
  A $30 million fund to support large restaurants, pubs and hospitality venues that are doing the heavy lifting to keep us all safe. These venues are also donating their unused produce to those in need.
   
• CBD Support:
  A $20 million fund to provide targeted support to businesses in Melbourne’s CBD, which have been hit particularly hard by coronavirus as people right across the city are working from home.
   
• Business Advisory and Wellbeing Program:
  A further $36 million to assist small and medium businesses across Victoria with access to business mentoring and mental health advice to support their viability during the return of stage 3 restrictions. 
   
• Regional Tourism Support:
  A capped $40 million fund to help regional accommodation businesses cover the cost of refunds for cancellations, as well as marketing campaigns to boost region to region visitation while metropolitan Melbourne is locked down, and for once restrictions ease.

Businesses will also benefit from an extended and expanded payroll tax deferral. Eligible businesses with payrolls up to $10 million can defer their liabilities for the first half of the 2020/21 financial year. 

Further details on eligibility criteria and application processes please visit: https://www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/expanded-business-support-fund.

TRAINING, MENTORING AND SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES

Thousands of small businesses have taken up free online short courses and benefitted from payments of up to $20,000 as the Victorian Government backs small operators to get through to the other side of the pandemic.

Upskill My Business has helped almost 25,000 users increase their capabilities and learn vital skills with webinars, articles and courses ranging from innovation to staff development. Some 128 courses are offered in partnership with education leaders including Deakin University and RMIT University.

More details on Upskill My Business are available at upskill.business.vic.gov.au.

The Victorian Government  recently joined with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in launching a new business mentoring initiative to help small business owners navigate the challenges posed by coronavirus.

Applications are open now on the VCCI website.

Through the $10 million program, eligible business owners can receive up to four 2-hour mentoring sessions with an experienced professional who will help them make informed decisions about the future of their business.

The program offers tailored guidance on:

• Business recovery - to strengthen business recovery (cost reduction, debt and cashflow management)
• Market transformation - to understand how coronavirus (COVID-19) has triggered or accelerated market changes
• Digital literacy and engagement - to help businesses reach new customers and markets
• Market and supply chain diversification - to reduce exposure to supply chain risks
• Reskilling and retraining - to help businesses upskill their existing workforce

BUSINESS MENTAL HEALTH AND CRISIS SUPPORT TRAINING

Earlier in August, the Victorian Government announced details of a $26 million program addressing the mental health needs of sole traders and small and medium business owners and their workers.

As part of the program, St John Ambulance will provide accredited mental health support training to chambers of commerce across Victoria to swiftly boost mental health capabilities within local business communities.

The training will be available to key members who hold positions at Chambers of Commerce, Business Associations or Business Networks – assisting participants to:

• Build capabilities to support the local business community with wellbeing or mental health challenges
• Certify participants in a nationally recognised qualification in mental health first response
• Develop an awareness of the wellbeing and mental health support available for small business operators and other members of the community

• Mental health specialists embedded in industry and business associations to provide members with immediate access to expert advisors and on-the-job training for staff to identify and respond to people in distress.
• The Partners in Wellbeing telephone hotline – a free mental health support service delivered by EACH, Neami National and the Australian Community Support Organisation – will be extended to 10:00pm seven days a week and expanded to also include immediate access to business advisers and financial counsellors. The Partners in Wellbeing mental health support hotline is 1300 375 330. 

ST ANDREWS CONSTRUCTION NOW COMPLETE

Non-government schools are an important part of Victoria's education system, with over one-third of Victorian students studying at Catholic or independent schools.

The Victorian Government has committed $402 million over the next four years to upgrade and build new, catholic and independent schools across the state. This funding will be allocated over four grant rounds, with approximately $100 million worth of grants allocated in each round.

The Government is working closely with the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria and Independent Schools Victoria to ensure available funding is targeted to the areas of highest need. 

We are supporting the school to refurbish the library to add administration spaces, and undertake other work to provide additional general learning areas and update student amenities.

Under the approved governance model for the program, the Department of Education and Training will enter into separate funding agreements with both school sectors, Catholic Capital Grants (Victoria) Ltd (CCG) and the Victorian Independent Schools Block Grant Authority (VIS BGA) to manage the program for schools in their respective sectors.

NEW SCHOOL FOR WYNDHAM VALE - ENROLMENTS NOW OPEN!

The new Wollahra Primary School (Interim Name) in Wyndham Vale is set to open in 2021, and enrolments are now open for 2021 Prep - Grade 6!

Please contact Principal Lisa Conibeer for information:
Ph: 9742 9700
Email: Lisa.conibeer@education.vic.gov.au

STAMP DUTY SAVINGS FOR HOME BUYERS IN WYNDHAM

The Victorian Government is helping more people buy their dream home, with thousands of first home buyers spared millions of dollars in stamp duty costs over the past financial year.

That includes here in Wyndham where 3,815 people got the keys to their first home and saved $68,279,112 in stamp duty concessions or waivers.

Between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020, more than 40,000 first home buyers saved a collective $724 million in stamp duty across the state, with the local government areas of Casey, Wyndham and Hume recording the highest number of waivers and concessions.

In regional Victoria, Geelong proved the most attractive, with almost 2,000 homebuyers either having their stamp duty fees waived or received a concession, for a total saving of close to $31 million.

Even amid a global pandemic, our scheme is helping Victorians get a leg-up to enter the property market – turning their dreams of home ownership into a reality.

GALVIN PARK SOCCER FACILITIES SCORE $1M TOWARDS CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PAVILION 

We’re helping grassroots sports communities to get back in the game when the time is right – including here in Werribee.

A few weeks ago, I virtually announced a $1 million funding boost for the transformation of the Galvin Park Soccer Facilities, thanks to the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program!

The project is one of 27 to benefit from a share in more than $68 million from the stimulus program, and will include the construction of a new soccer pavilion at Galvin Park Reserve, 6 accessible change rooms, 2 unisex umpires rooms, community room, canteen, first aid room and storage.

This investment recognises the overwhelming demand for shovel-ready community sports infrastructure and is part of the Victorian Government’s $2.7 billion Building Works package creating jobs and kick-starting vital projects across the state

It will support the local economy and create jobs – and support the growing number of people in Werribee keen to get involved in sport and recreation

MORE SUPPORT TO KEEP WOMEN AND CHILDREN SAFE

The Government is keeping family violence victim survivors safe in their own homes by investing in more early intervention programs, crisis accommodation and culturally safe supports for perpetrators.

The Premier and the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams announced $20.4 million in funding to address family violence and a jump in demand for perpetrator services during the pandemic.   

With more Victorians at home to slow the spread of coronavirus, we know there’s an increased risk for women and children experiencing family violence or abuse.

In the past month, the Men’s Referral Service has reported an 11 per cent increase in calls compared to last year. This funding will support around 1,500 perpetrators by offering both short and long-term accommodation options, emergency crisis support, as well as early intervention and behaviour change programs for adolescents that are using violence in the home.

There will also be increased funding for family violence service providers so they can continue to adapt to physical distancing rules, stay at home restrictions and deliver support when and where it’s needed.

NEW HELP FOR VICTORIANS WITH THEIR ENERGY BILLS

The Victorian Government is rolling out a team of financial counsellors and community workers in partnership with community organisations to give targeted advice and support to Victorians who need help with their energy bills. 

The Government launched key components of the $3.7 million support package, which will help thousands of Victorian households struggling to pay their energy bills.

Debt to energy companies is one of the top three most common sources of financial difficulty raised with financial counsellors and, with many Victorians seeing high bills this winter, it’s vital that support can be accessed.

Data from the Essential Services Commission shows that each week in July, around 9,000 households called their energy company seeking assistance with managing their bills.

The Government has launched a new advertising campaign, encouraging customers doing it tough to reach out to their energy company and know their rights. The campaign will be translated into 20 languages.

WORKING TOGETHER WITH MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITIES

The Victorian Government is boosting support for multicultural communities across the state so that all Victorians can play their part, help slow the spread of coronavirus and stay safe.

The Victorian Government has announced an additional $14.3 million to reach out to more culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians and ensure they get the support they need, when they need it.
 
The funding includes $6.9 million for expanded health messaging and support for multicultural organisations that work on the ground to deliver emergency relief, such as culturally specific accommodation and food for those self isolating or in quarantine.

It will also ensure positive cases and their close contacts are cared for and taken through compliance checks in a culturally appropriate way, while also providing cultural advice to support the work of the coronavirus contact tracing team.

The funding package also includes $5.5 million to continue and expand the distribution of vital health advice that has been translated into 55 different languages, ensuring people understand and comply with restrictions designed to keep us safe, with a focus on supporting younger CALD members.

A further $2 million will go towards translation and interpreter services to meet the increase in demand.

This latest investment builds on the $11.3 million package that was announced in May to help multicultural and multifaith Victorians battle social isolation, engage young people and fund culturally specific family violence support agencies.

FREE PADS AND TAMPONS IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS

The Andrews Labor government is celebrating the completion of another Australian-first election commitment: free pads and tampons in Victorian government schools.

Free pads and tampons are now available in every government school in Victoria – reducing the discomfort and embarrassment around periods for girls and saving families hundreds of dollars every year.

Victoria is the first state or territory in Australia to ensure all students attending government schools have access to free pads and tampons – with the initiative now in Victoria’s more than 1500 government schools.

The $20.7 million initiative helps students feel more comfortable managing their periods by providing discreet and easy access to products when they need them.

Pads and tampons are available free of charge in school bathrooms, relieving anxiety and embarrassment for girls, and ensuring they can get the most from their education.

Schools will play an important role in promoting a positive culture around menstrual health and build a supportive environment among the school community.

The initiative also aims to reduce the stigma of periods, make school more inclusive and will ease the cost of living on families while helping students focus on their studies.

Lack of easy access to pads and tampons can negatively impact on students’ participation in sport and everyday school activities. Students may not be able to concentrate in class, feel comfortable or feel confident doing physical activity, or they may miss school altogether.

Sanitary items are a necessity, not a luxury, and this initiative is supporting tens of thousands of girls and young women in schools across the state.

As part of this initiative, students also receive important health information about how to manage their periods.

For more information, please visit education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/free-sanitary-pads.aspx.

LEARNING FROM HOME SUPPORT FOR KINDERS IN WYNDHAM

Children in Wyndham will be supported to learn from home thanks to an Andrews Labor Government relief package to assist early childhood services through the pandemic.

$1.6 million in grants for local kindergartens is now available to help deliver early childhood education to children learning at home.

Kinders in Werribee can use this extra funding to access a range of online programs containing high-quality play-based learning activities for parents to do with their children at home.

These grants are available to services that are not yet receiving funding via the Australian-first School Readiness Funding program.

The $160 million School Readiness Funding initiative began rolling out in 2019, and services in Wyndham are now receiving additional support through School Readiness Funding due to COVID-19.

CLICK FOR VIC TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS AND LOCAL JOBS 

As we stay home to stay safe, a new campaign will encourage Victorians to experience some of our state’s best produce and products – right from the comfort of our own homes.

The Premier recently launched ‘Click for Vic’, a new campaign to connect Victorians with local producers, creators and businesses across the state.

The new website will encourage Victorians to support these hard-working local businesses, which are vital to so many local communities.

Go to visitvictoria.com/clickforvic to discover how to bring the best of Victoria into your very own home.

RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP PROGRAM MOVES ONLINE

Victorian primary school students will be able to continue learning about interacting safely and responsibly with pets, with the Victorian Government moving the Responsible Pet Ownership program online.
 
The move is ensuring the lessons can continue for schools and students whilst ‘stay at home’ directions are in place to help limit the spread of coronavirus.
 
With most dog attacks involving children aged up to eight years old, and children currently spending more time at home with their pets, these safety messages are critically important.
 
The Responsible Pet Ownership program is normally delivered by trained pet educators and their dogs at primary schools and kindergartens to teach children how to safely interact with pets.
 
In the absence of school visits, Animal Welfare Victoria has created an online learning hub for primary school teachers to help them deliver safety messages through activities that can be completed in class, at home and online.
 
The program focuses on teaching children about basic dog behaviour, appropriate behaviour around dogs and what to do if approached by an unknown or aggressive dog.
 
It features ‘Victor and Victoria’s Pet Town’ – an animated interactive tool for children based on the program’s safety messages. Children can also play games in ‘Pet Town’ with Victor the dog and Victoria the cat.
 
A tablet version of this game has also been developed and is free to download from app stores.
 
The Responsible Pet Ownership program has been operating in Victoria for 20 years.

To find out more about the Responsible Pet Ownership program, visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au.

IT'S OUR TIME - WOMEN IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN

We have recently seen the launch of the It’s Our Time campaign to inspire women to get involved in local government and nominate for the 2020 council elections.
 
In July a grant of $50,000 was awarded to social impact marketing firm Ellis Jones to create a campaign to encourage and support more women to stand for election to local councils across Victoria.
 
By connecting women to their peers through online networks, mentoring and webinars, and by providing practical guides to nominating, campaigning and representing communities as a councillor, It’s Our Time aims to support any woman, of any age, from all across Victoria to gain the know-how, skills and confidence to take her place at the table of some of the biggest decisions of our generation.
 
Attached are some social media images for your use to encourage women in your local community to consider nominating in the upcoming council elections.
 
Candidates must nominate from 17-22 September 2020. The elections will be conducted by post and conclude on Saturday 24 October, 2020.

General information on the elections is available at: 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CANDIDATE TRAINING RELEASED

The mandatory Local Government Candidate Training course for the 2020 elections is now available online.
 
Under new requirements included in the Local Government Act 2020, candidates must complete the course to be eligible to nominate with the Victorian Electoral Commission. 
 
This includes all serving or former councillors intending to nominate.
 
The online course will take around an hour to complete and ensure candidates fully understand the role of councillor and its requirements. 
 
The course can be found at localgovernment.vic.gov.au/council-governance/candidate-training.

NEW AGRICULTURE VICTORIA PODCAST

Victorian farmers will be able to hear stories from fellow producers around the state, along with advice and information with the launch of a new podcast from the Victorian Government.
 
"Ag Vic Talk” has recently been launched, a pilot series that will cover problems and solutions for managing bushfire recovery, drought and dry seasonal conditions, weather and climate, as well inspiring stories from young farmers.
 
The series will include Agriculture Victoria industry development officers providing useful advice to farmers on topics such as pasture recovery after fire, and how farmers can support their neighbours during challenging times.
 
In addition, the series will profile dairy farmers adpating their properties in different climates and how to use technology to manage seasonal risk.
 
Two episodes will profile Upskill and Invest Young Farmer Scholarship recipients Sarah McLean and Clay Gowers. Sarah shares her story of how she turned her dream of running a farm into reality, while Clay discusses how he has used aerial drone mapping on his family farm.
 
The series is designed to address priority topics that assist farmers to grow profitable and sustainable farm businesses. 
 
”Ag Vic Talk” will be available on multiple podcasts platforms, and at agriculture.vic.gov.au/AgVicTalk.
 
The podcast is one of many ways the Victorian Government is continuing to support farm businesses during drought and dry conditions, bushfire recovery and through the coronavirus pandemic.

For more information on webinars and other virtual services, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au.  

SUPPORTING VOLUNTEERS AND VICTORIANS DURING THE PANDEMIC

The Victorian Government is connecting Victorian volunteers with Victorians who need help, with a new online platform to match volunteers to roles where their skills are best suited. 

‘We Volunteer’ is open for registration from today and will strengthen the supply of eager, skilled volunteers in local communities and support recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Many have found themselves needing extra support and connection during the pandemic, and Victorians have risen to the challenge, with volunteers from all walks of life making simple – yet meaningful – contributions, whether its picking up the phone and having a chat, dropping off food or teaching people how to video call their loved ones.

Now, the We Volunteer portal provides a platform where people looking for volunteer roles can register their skills and search for roles that meet their interests – with many of these roles able to be performed from home.

Volunteer organisations will also be invited to sign-up to the portal and use it to make call-outs for volunteers needed on their various projects.

Its critical essential volunteers working through the pandemic are safe and supported, and have the information and training they need – that’s why the Government will fund 12 volunteer support organisations through Volunteering Victoria to help design volunteer roles and provide advice on induction, training and management.  

The Government is also investing $2 million to boost the Community Activation and Social Isolation (CASI) initiative.

CASI is an expansion of the Victorian coronavirus hotline (1800 675 398) and is already supporting people experiencing loneliness or social disconnection by linking them to support services and help in their local area.

To make sure those supports are available, the Government is providing funding to every local council in the state to boost the capacity of their local community organisations to support people in need.

The initiative is a partnership with the Australian Red Cross, whose volunteers have been trained in psychological first aid to provide emotional support and help to callers who may be distressed or anxious.

For more information and to access the new We Volunteer portal please visit wevolunteer.org.au.

COMMUNITY WALKING SURVEY

How can we make your walking experience better?

Whilst out in your local neighbourhood walking, jogging or travelling in your mobility aid, what have you seen that would make your walking experience easier and more enjoyable?  

Have you noticed a path that requires some repair, a path that could be connected to an existing path, more seating required, a drinking fountain, lighting, the need for additional signage, an improvement needed at a local park?

We’d like to learn from your experiences.

It’s important to stay active during this time. As we know walking is good for both our physical and mental health. So, go for a walk and tell us your thoughts, click here to take the survey.

VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY SERVICES EQUIPMENT PROGRAM

The Andrews Labor Government is providing $14 million for emergency services volunteers to fund new equipment and vehicles and support their tireless efforts keeping the community safe.

VESEP provides a platform for the government to partner with local organisations to provide the financial support the state’s volunteers need.

Through the program, the government contributes $2 for every $1 raised by volunteer groups, with co-contribution grants of up to $150,000 available.

Grants can be used to help purchase new vehicles, trucks, tankers, watercraft and trailers, other operational equipment and facility improvements.

Volunteer groups can also put the money towards minor facility improvements.  

For more information about VESEP and to find out how to apply for a grant, visit emv.vic.gov.au/vesep.

CREATIVE ACTIVATION GRANTS NOW OPEN

Open to local councils and creative and community organisations and associations, the Creative Activation Fund will support the development and delivery of creative projects that have strong potential to become new tourist attractions, contributing to the economic recovery of the region in 2021 and beyond. 

Supported projects can include, but are not limited to, public art that responds to the natural landscape, creative projects that breathe new life into buildings or unused sites, large-scale murals or sculptures and initiatives that showcase sites in new ways using technologies such as virtual or augmented reality. 

Funding of between $40,000 and $300,000 is available for projects that will commence from 1 January 2021. Projects must be open to visitors for the majority of the year and have at least a three-year lifespan. 

The latest round is calling out for ground-breaking creative ideas with assessors focusing on projects that are led by Victorian First Peoples creative practitioners or organisations, reflect the culture and diversity of Victoria, align with the local priorities and are developed through collaboration across different creative disciplines. 

While the program is open statewide, and past projects have been located in regional and metropolitan areas, the program prioritises projects that occur in regional Victoria. 

Applications close at 5pm, 24 September.

Prospective applicants must contact Creative Victoria staff before applying.  

Visit creative.vic.gov.au for full program guidelines and Creative Victoria staff contact details.

AGRILINKS UPGRADE PROGRAM GRANTS OPEN

Farmers and producers across Victoria will get better access to markets and communities thanks to funding from the Victorian Government to improve the vital network of local roads and infrastructure.

The AgriLinks Update Program is now open for applications to support rural, regional and interface councils with shovel-ready projects to upgrade local roads.

AgriLinks Update Program is a $20 million program to help Victoria get on with important road upgrades such as fixing intersections, widening and sealing roads and strengthening bridges to carry heavier loads which will spur the economy and makes a difference to people looking to get back to work.

These upgrades also create long-term benefits for our essential food supply chains.

More information about the AgriLinks Upgrade Program can be found at agriculture.vic.gov.au.