Politics
Werribee Mayor Implements Local Jobs Requirement for Council Infrastructure Contracts
Werribee residents seeking employment in construction and maintenance can access new hiring requirements attached to council infrastructure contracts under the updated local government plan.
How we reported this
The mayor of Werribee introduced the Local Infrastructure Jobs Policy at the regular council meeting on 7 July. The measure ties future public works contracts to local hiring targets and affects residents who work in trades, engineering support and facility upkeep across the city.
The policy update follows publication of the council's annual works schedule, which identifies needs for renewed roads, drainage systems and community buildings inside Werribee. Officials have cited rising usage of these assets as the reason for linking employment rules directly to project approvals.
Daily Impacts on Employment and Services
Residents in Werribee now see procurement rules that require contractors bidding on road resurfacing and park upgrades to submit local labour plans. A person living near the city centre who holds a heavy-vehicle licence, for example, could apply for roles created when the council lets the next drainage renewal contract. Waste-collection and building-maintenance tenders will carry the same local-employment clauses, shifting how service providers staff daily operations.
The policy document states that qualifying projects must allocate at least 30 per cent of paid labour hours to workers whose primary residence is inside Werribee. Job postings will appear on the council procurement portal, and applicants can register interest through the existing community employment office on Watton Street.
Council budget records list an initial 4.8 million allocation for the first round of projects covered by the new rules. The sum covers planning, tender preparation and early recruitment for work at three sites: the central library forecourt, the riverbank path network and the main sports reserve car park.
Implementation begins with release of tender guidelines at the end of July. Public information sessions are listed for August, after which selected contractors must file compliance reports before site work starts in September.