Paul’s Policy Priorities:
– Public Transport and Our Roads
– Public Safety
– Health
– Education
– Jobs
– Sporting Clubs
When I think about what our community needs for the future, I see a city that deserves better. We need to make up for years of neglect and properly plan for the future of Wyndham. Our roads need to be unclogged, and we need to provide for the more than 110 babies born in our city every week. Where are the jobs? Where are the doctors and nurses? Where is the support for community and sporting groups, for the small businesses that serve us, and for the locals they employ?
Public Transport and Our Roads:
As a long-term resident of Wyndham, I know firsthand the daily challenges we all face when it comes to traveling to and from Werribee, as well as navigating within the suburb itself. Traffic congestion, limited public transport options and inadequate infrastructure are holding our community back. To address these issues, a significant and immediate expansion of public transport is essential, alongside critical road infrastructure upgrades.
Three road projects demand urgent action:
- Upgrading the Western Interchange – completing the Ison Road bridge over the train line to connect directly with the freeway, easing congestion and improving travel efficiency.
- Duplicating Ballan Road – providing greater capacity for one of our busiest corridors, ensuring smoother and safer travel for residents and businesses alike.
- Creating another river and rail crossing – establishing a vital link between
Manor Lakes and Tarneit, reducing travel times and enhancing connectivity between our growing neighbourhoods.
Better infrastructure means more accessible jobs, reduced
travel stress and safer roads for everyone. It’s time to ensure our transport
network grows with us, supporting our community’s needs now and into the
future.
Public Safety
Residents are understandably concerned about the increase in crimes affecting family homes and property. Visible policing can be increased by improving retention rates and targeting hot spots eg train stations. Reservists can be used to free up police from routine tasks. More youth workers and mental health professonals are needed to engage with offenders and prevent re-offending. Training and educational programs undertaken while incarcerated should be extended to be undertaken upon release until gainfully employed.
Health:
More than 60% of patients from Wyndham who require
inpatient care cannot be treated at Werribee Mercy Hospital. This is due to a combination of limited capacity and the unavailability of certain specialties. For a growing and diverse community like ours, this situation places unnecessary strain on families who are forced to travel outside the area for essential healthcare services.
While the current expansion of the emergency department is a welcome step forward, it is clear that a major expansion of inpatient beds is urgently required to meet the needs of our community. This expansion would not only improve access to critical healthcare services close to home but also significantly reduce wait times and the burden on neighbouring hospitals.
Education:
More than 110 new babies are born in Wyndham every week –
one of the highest birth rates in the country. But our schools are overwhelmed and buckling under pressure.
As our population continues to grow, we cannot afford to slow down. Families within our community require greater access to quality education and reduced travel times for students.
I will continue to strongly advocate for upgrades to existing schools to ensure they are well-equipped with modern facilities, resources and spaces that encourage learning and development. At the same time, I am committed to maintaining the current pace of building new schools, ensuring that schools are always close to where children live as new neighbourhoods emerge and populations expand.
East Werribee Precinct:
More than 60% of Wyndham residents leave the suburb every day for work, putting immense pressure on our already overburdened public
transport and road networks. Believe it or not, this daily exodus impacts not
only commuters but also the community as a whole, contributing to longer travel times, increased emissions and less time spent with family and friends.
This is why it’s absolutely vital that the East Werribee Employment Precinct delivers on its promise of creating significantly more jobs than the number of people who call this area home. By ensuring that East Werribee becomes a thriving hub for local employment, we can ease the strain on transport systems, reduce traffic congestion and give residents the opportunity to work closer to home.
East Werribee has the potential to transform Wyndham’s future.
Sporting and Social Clubs:
Outdoor activity promotes both physical, social and mental health in children and youth.
We must encourage our children to get off their screens and out into the real world. Werribee’s sporting clubs and community groups need urgent, targeted and significant support. I will fight to ensure that our sporting and social clubs are properly resourced and supported at every level – from grassroots programs that build confidence and community spirit to elite initiatives that inspire excellence. Together, we can create opportunities for everyone to thrive, on and off the field.
IF YOU CARE ABOUT WERRIBEE AND ITS FUTURE, VOTE CHANGE, VOTE HOPPER
I am a lifelong Werribee resident, born at the old Werribee Hospital and I’m incredibly proud to call this city – now known as Wyndham – my home. I’m a devoted dad, a loving husband, a passionate community advocate and a businessman who has enjoyed building a life from the ground up with the support of many Wyndham residents over the decades.
Over the years, I’ve volunteered my time and provided financial support to local sporting clubs, building lifelong friendships and gaining a deep understanding of local issues. I’ve come to truly appreciate the diversity of people who make up the fabric of our Wyndham community. To me, these groups are the heart and soul of our community – they’re an essential part of life in Werribee.
Now, I’ve decided it’s time to give even more to the community that has given me so much. For years, I’ve been concerned about the lack of desperately needed infrastructure in Wyndham. That’s why I’ve chosen to run as an independent candidate for the seat of Werribee in upcoming Werribee by-election.
On Feb 8th, 2025, Vote for Change:
Vote 1, Paul Hopper – Independent for Werribee.
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR TEAM?
Phone: +61 458 604 395
Email: info@paulhopper.com.au
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About
POLICY Priorities
- Public Transport and Our Roads
- Public Safety
- Health
- Education
- East Werribee Precinct
- Sporting Clubs
CONTACT
info@paulhopper.com.au
+61 458 604 395