The Andrews Labor Government is upgrading the Doveton Neighbourhood Learning Centre, so that more locals can have access to vital services in a renovated and more modern facility.

Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, today announced Doveton Neighbourhood Learning Centre would receive $10,000 to upgrade its kitchen and laundry equipment, as part of its $460,000 Minor Capital Works Non-Recurrent Grants program.

The funding will be used to purchase and install a commercial fridge, freezer, washing machine and clothes dryer, in order to provide nutritious home cooked meals, and  laundry and shower facilities for the elderly, financially vulnerable and homeless.

These capital investments form part of the Labor Government’s $21.8 million investment over four years for the Neighbourhood Houses Coordination Program, supported through the Victorian Budget 2018/19.

This record investment has supported:

• 162 neighbourhood houses to increase their coordination hours and deliver up to 50 hours of activities and programs per week for their local community
• 27 newly funded neighbourhood houses
• an additional 4,800 hours for neighbourhood house networks supporting individual houses across Victoria to improve delivery of key services and activities.

It’s all part of the Labor Government’s commitment to supporting and expanding the neighbourhood house network and support staff, volunteers and the local communities they serve.

In one Budget, the Labor Government invested almost eight times what the former Liberal Government spent during their entire term in terms of new support for neighbourhood houses.

Neighbourhood houses provide a safe place for people to become involved in community events, learn about local services and activities, join a class or support group or take up a new activity for fun and enjoyment.

More than 400 neighbourhood houses across Victoria receive funding from the Labor Government, supporting almost 200,000 Victorians each week who visit a house or use their services.

For more information, visit providers.dhhs.vic.gov.au/neighbourhood-house-coordination-program.