Politics
Werribee Voters Decide: New Levy Funds Roads, Job Training Programs
The ballot measure would raise property-based revenue for road maintenance and vocational centers, directly shaping resident commuting times and entry-level job access in Werribee.
How we reported this
The Werribee Community Infrastructure Referendum Measure, placed on the July 15 ballot by the city council, proposes a 0.4 percent annual levy on residential properties assessed above $450,000, with all proceeds restricted to designated road resurfacing contracts and two new vocational training facilities.
City records show the measure stems from a 2025 fiscal impact statement that identified $28 million in deferred road repairs across the northern and southern corridors. The same document projects the levy would generate $6.2 million annually once fully implemented.
Projected Changes to Daily Services
Residents who rely on the Werribee River Road corridor for work travel would see scheduled resurfacing of 14 kilometers of pavement within the first three years, according to the council's capital works schedule. The same funds would support extended operating hours at the existing community transport hub on Derrimut Road, adding two evening routes serving shift workers at the industrial estate.
Local job placement data from the Werribee Employment Office indicates that 38 percent of current unemployed residents lack certifications required for maintenance and logistics positions. The measure allocates 22 percent of annual revenue to a training center at the former library site on Watton Street, offering certificates in heavy equipment operation and facility management.
Budget Allocation and Next Steps
The legislation states that 65 percent of collections must go to infrastructure contracts awarded through competitive bidding open to firms based inside Werribee postcode boundaries. The remaining share covers the training programs and a small administrative reserve capped at 4 percent.
Voters will decide the measure on July 15. If approved, the first levy notices would issue with the 2027 property tax bills, and the training center would open by the second quarter of 2028 under the timeline set in the council resolution.