Councils Come On Board To Create Jobs-But nothing for South Gippsland-4th Jun 2020

An army of public hygiene and land maintenance workers employed to help slow the spread of coronavirus has been bolstered in a major push backed by the Victorian Government’s Working for Victoria fund.

The Government has struck new agreements with 15 councils across Victoria to support more than 1,000 people into jobs.  More than half of the councils in the state are now on board with Working for Victoria.

An initial sweep of 28 councils across Victoria is supporting more than 2,300 people into jobs that include cleaning, land and asset management, community outreach, hardship relief delivery and crisis co-ordination.

The $500 million Working for Victoria program is matching people who have lost their job due to the economic impacts of coronavirus with employers who need staff. More than 6,700 Victorians have found positions through the program since April, providing a quick return to work and access to training where required.

The councils involved in the latest program are Glen Eira, Greater Shepparton, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Colac Otway, Golden Plains, Hepburn, Horsham, Knox, Loddon, Mildura, Moyne, Swan Hill, Towong and Wellington.

This tranche of jobs includes a proportion of outdoor maintenance and land management roles, particularly in regional areas.

Workers in the Bannockburn-headquartered Golden Plains shire will maintain waterways, outdoor trails and other key recreational assets, along with reducing fire hazards. Greater Shepparton City Council will deploy workers to spruce up the environment, with a focus on planting trees and gardening.

In addition to outdoor maintenance, metropolitan councils are expanding their social outreach and community development activities. The City of Knox is hiring mental health and wellbeing officers, while Glen Eira City Council is supporting vulnerable community members with check-in services, library deliveries and other home services.