Left: Hampton Park locals Jenny, Tayla and Jake Stephens with councillor Wayne Smith, Victorian Communities Minister Peter Batchelor, councillor Janet Halsall and Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley.
By Sarah Schwager
HAMPTON Park is on track for some sorely needed funding to improve the growing suburb’s infrastructure and services.
Last Thursday Victorian Communities Minister Peter Batchelor was at the Hampton Park Library to launch a new community renewal program in Hampton Park.
The program aims to improve job and learning opportunities, increase volunteering, improve safety and upgrade parks and community buildings.
The program puts the decision as to where the $630,000 funding goes in the hands of Hampton Park residents, business, government agencies and local organisations.
“At the heart of community renewal is the belief that the best way to build stronger communities is by helping people to help each other,” Mr Batchelor said.
“It’s a way to foster strong and resilient communities and it’s a way of doing government differently.
“It’s a big change from the ‘government knows best’ approach because it puts community at the centre of decision-making.”
The program was celebrated by locals from all sectors, who had raised concerns that people would start to move out of the suburb because of a lack of resources.
The City of Casey’s 2006 census recorded 22,319 people living in Hampton Park, yet by 2021 that figure is estimated to drop to 19,177.
It is one of the few suburbs in the area that is set to decrease in population, while suburbs such as Cranbourne, Cranbourne East and Cranbourne West are likely to double or even triple their number of residents.
The News has also reported about Hampton Park residents’ concerns there was a lack of services for youth and the disadvantaged in the area, after reports of youth gangs and break-ins, particularly focused around Hampton Park Shopping Centre.
Speaking at the launch, Hampton Park Networking Group president Vanassa Gerdes said while the town’s facilities had grown, more was needed.
“We have witnessed Hampton Park change from a small country community to a heavily populated suburb,” she said.
The Hampton Park resident of 15 years said one of the most important assets the suburb had was the passion and dedication of its many committed residents who had helped shape Hampton Park to what it was today.
Ms Gerdes and Hampton Park Progress Association president Warren Calder said it was nice to have some funding to do what they had been trying to do for many years, but without the funding.
“We are very excited about working together with the Department for Victorian Communities and council to develop an action plan for our community based on our opinions and our vision for Hampton Park,” she said.
Casey mayor Colin Butler said the community renewal program strengthened council’s commitment to Hampton Park.
“(The program) will bring together residents, businesses, government and local organisations to help transform their community into a place of opportunity and activity,” Cr Butler said.
“Strong resident representation on action groups and an involved steering committee will help achieve this aim.”
In late June, the Hampton Park community will be invited to participate in a Speak Out session to explore various local issues and give people the opportunity to voice ideas for local projects and register their details should they want to participate in community renewal further.
