Werribee Council Approves Funding for 200+ Local Jobs, Infrastructure Upgrades

Werribee’s city council last night approved a suite of measures that will direct $11.8 million toward roads, childcare upgrades and digital service expansion for residents. The decisions, adopted near-unanimously in the July 7th meeting, are expected to create new job opportunities while accelerating overdue investment in local infrastructure and community services.

Recent employment figures for Werribee show the city’s jobless rate hovered at 6.1 percent in May, a full point above the national average, according to the city’s 2026 labour market snapshot. Community groups have flagged the rising demand for council-supported childcare slots and cited concerns over traffic safety on residential roads. With the council finalising its 2026-27 capital works budget and facing pressure to respond to both economic and population growth, infrastructure and service delivery took centre stage during the two-hour session at the Wyndham Civic Centre.

Investment Targets Roads and Families

The largest allocation-$5.7 million-will go to resurfacing and widening 8.4 kilometres of suburban roads, including sections of Tarneit Road and Hogans Road, which service more than 10,000 daily commuters according to the council’s Transport Asset Plan 2026. Local analysts say these upgrades are expected to reduce traffic bottlenecks and improve safety around school precincts, where both parents and principals have reported a rise in near-misses during morning peak hours. The package also earmarks $3.2 million for expanding two council-run childcare centres in Heaths Road and Manor Lakes, projected by the City Manager’s report to open 80 additional long-day-care places this financial year.

Another $2.9 million will fund digital upgrades to customer service counters, online permit processing and the rollout of public Wi-Fi access points at Werribee Park, the city library and the Watton Street commercial district. Local businesses in the Watton Street precinct have previously called for improved connectivity to support both in-store transactions and remote work, according to the Werribee Business Forum’s 2025 community survey.

Budget and Next Steps

The adopted measures form part of the city’s $91 million overall operating budget for 2026-27, as set out in Volume 1 of the council’s public financial papers. The capital expenditure package approved last night is projected by the council’s finance office to directly support 210 jobs in construction, childcare education and digital services over the next 12 months. The government says improved infrastructure and access to services are also expected to drive indirect employment benefits and reduce pressure on waiting lists for local families.

According to the city manager, procurement for roadworks will begin in August, with tenders for the childcare expansion to follow in September. Public consultation on the location of new Wi-Fi access points is scheduled for next month. Policy analysts say effective delivery and regular progress updates will be key, given past concerns about project delays. City staff have committed to quarterly reporting on milestones and a KPI review at year’s end, with outcomes to be published on the council’s website. Local residents can expect to see work crews on major roads and the first childcare construction commencing by November.