Mary-Anne Thomas

Locals in Trentham now have a more reliable drive through town, with upgrades to five roads in the heart of Trentham complete. Thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s $290,343 investment through the Fixing Country Roads program, the upgrades to Bowen Street, Church Lane, Gamble Street, Forrest Street and Cranneys Lane have modernised and improved the state of previously unsealed roads. The roads have been widened, sealed, while improved pavement and drainage has been installed. The project will also reduce long term maintenance costs and protect other urban roads in Trentham in close proximity to the five roads. These upgrades are part of the $1.5 million funding for Hepburn Shire Council from the second round of the Andrews Labor Government’s Fixing Country Roads program, which follows $500,000 from round one of the program. The Labor Government’s $100 million Fixing Country Roads Program enables regional and rural Victorian councils to carry out important road rehabilitation and resealing works, road safety improvements, bridge strengthening and other upgrades. For more information and the full list of projects funded under the Fixing Country Roads Program, visit regionalroads.vic.gov.au. Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas:  “The Trentham community told us that they wanted better local roads, and these upgrades have delivered just that.” “The Fixing Country Roads program is making a big difference for drivers right across our region, boosting safety and making it easier for locals to get around.”

Heavy vehicles have been routed away from residential streets as part of improved access to Daylesford’s Industrial Precinct, thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor Government. The $800,000 project beneath East Street Rail Bridge have been completed, increasing the clearance between the road and the bridge to allow trucks and other heavy vehicles to enter the industrial precinct from the Midland Highway. The previous limitations meant heavy vehicles were forced to navigate through side streets in Daylesford’s residential areas, leading to safety risks and disruptions for the community and longer travel times for truck drivers. The road has been lowered and resealed beneath the bridge to remove the previous height restriction, with the rail bridge also strengthened, and water and sewer pipes running under the project site relocated. The lowering of the road level by one metre has allowed for a 4.6 metre overhead clearance, which is the necessary height to safely allow heavy vehicles to travel beneath the rail bridge. The industrial precinct is already home to 20 businesses that employ 100 people. The access improvements are expected to help attract new businesses to the area by allowing for a more efficient freight network throughout the Hepburn Shire Council. Improved productivity within the industrial precinct will also allow local businesses to expand across the region, boosting the local economy. This upgrade is expected to deliver a $20 million boost to the local economy over the next three years, creating 30 new jobs in the area. The project was supported through $400,000 from the Andrews Labor Government’s Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, with $400,000 additional funding from the Hepburn Shire Council. Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas “Investing in projects like this improves the liveability of communities like Daylesford while also boosting the local economy.” “The Andrews Labor Government knows how important safe and accessible roads are for our regional towns. We’ll continue to help businesses and communities grow and thrive.”

The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring Daylesford children of all abilities get the best out of their time at kinder, thanks to an upgrade at Daylesford Community Childcare Centre. Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, today announced Daylesford Community Childcare Centre was one of 54 services to secure funding to upgrade their buildings and playgrounds to make them more inclusive and accessible for children with additional needs. The Inclusive Kindergartens Facilities Program playground and buildings stream provides up to $200,000 in upgrades to create more inclusive and welcoming environments for all children. Daylesford Community Childcare Centre will receive $126,495 for upgrades which will include adjustments made to doorways to allow better accessibility throughout the centre, creating appropriate transitions through external and internal entryways, heating and cooling installation in one playroom and acoustic treatments for two playrooms. The Victorian Budget 2019/20 included $6 million for the Inclusive Kindergartens Facilities Program to help kindergartens across the state provide safe and inclusive environments for children with additional needs. Making Victoria the Education State starts with the early years. That’s why, in an Australian first, the Victorian Government has committed almost $5 billion to deliver 15 hours of funded three-year-old kindergarten programs to children in Victoria over the next decade. Three-Year-Old Kindergarten will be rolled out progressively across the state, with families in 21 regional LGAs to benefit in 2020 and 2021The roll-out will continue progressively across the state, with families in a further 15 regional LGAs to benefit in 2021. This will be expanded in 2022 to give three-year-olds across the rest of the state access to five hours of funded kindergarten, before being scaled up to a full 15-hour program by 2029. The Labor Government’s investment in Three-Year-old Kinder also includes $473.2 million over five years for early childhood infrastructure, which will support the sector to invest in new and expanded kindergarten facilities, when and where they are needed most. Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino “These upgrades will make a big difference in ensuring children of all abilities attending kindergarten in Daylesford get the support they need to thrive.” Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas “It’s vital to provide welcoming and inclusive environments for children of all abilities, that’s why we’re upgrading Daylesford Community Childcare Centre.”

The Andrews Labor Government is giving families a say in the design of the brand-new school in the South of Gisborne, one of eight schools set to open in some of state’s fastest-growing communities in 2022. Minister for Education James Merlino today opened community consultation to gain insights that will inform the design of schools across Victoria. People living in Gisborne and surrounds can share their ideas, local knowledge and what matters most to them in the school’s design via an online portal. The state-of-the-art school, currently known by their interim names, will cater for the diverse needs of all students, providing them everything they need to thrive. The consultation period will run until Sunday 16 February. To have their say, community members can visit engage.vic.gov.au/2022-new-schools-design-consultation. Feedback from community consultation will help architects deliver and shape their design plans. The Labor Government has invested $6.1 billion to deliver 100 new schools by 2026 and complete more than 1400 school upgrades across the state. The school building boom is supporting more than 7500 construction jobs for Victorians. Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino “Schools are more than just buildings – they are at the heart of their neighbourhoods and these new schools provide an opportunity to shape and enhance local communities.” Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas “This school is really important for families in Gisborne, so it’s vital that we hear from the community about what they want to see in the brand-new school.”

The Toolern Vale community is calling for a speed reduction on Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road. The road runs through the centre of the town with the school, general store and homes one on side, and the recreation reserve, an important community meeting place on the opposite side. The current speed limit of 80kms per hour does not allow families to cross the road from one side of the township to the other safely. Sign the petition to say that our community wants a speed reduction and road treatment to make it safe for pedestrians to cross Diggers Rest-Coimadai Rd.

In 2018, I made a public commitment that I would start a Youth Advisory Council if I were elected for another term. I'm thrilled that the Macedon community has entrusted me with another four years as their representative so that I can make good on my promise to young people in my electorate! The aims of the Youth Advisory Council are to provide a platform for the perspectives and priorities of young people across Macedon, to empower young people to take action, show leadership and learn about government and its processes. I want to hear from young people across the Macedon electorate about what matters to them.  Mary-Anne Thomas MP   Who is it for? The Youth Advisory Council is for 12 passionate and community-minded young people from across the Macedon electorate. Applicants should be between the ages of 16 – 26 inclusive and be committed to attending all sessions. What is the commitment? The Youth Advisory Council will meet five times over a year at various locations including at the Victorian Parliament. Why apply for the Youth Advisory Council? The Youth Advisory Council will bring together young people who are interested in taking a leadership role within our community. This unique program will provide participants with the opportunity to build their understanding of government, the role and responsibilities of a Member of Parliament, and to understand pathways into politics. How can I apply for the Youth Advisory Council? There are 4 simple questions to answer in the application for the Youth Advisory Council. Applicants can answer them in writing  or via a video. What do you love about living in the Macedon electorate? What issues are most important to you, and why? Why do you want to be a part of the Youth Advisory Council? In your opinion, what do you think is something that could be improved for our community? Applications are now closed.   For more information or any other questions, email korey.fernando@parliament.vic.gov.au        

Join me in calling for action at the Barry Street and Main Street intersection.