Member for Corio Richard Marles and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney visited Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative today to announce that an Albanese Labor Government will invest $15.6 million to upgrade facilities as part of the Morgan Street Redevelopment Project.

Labor’s commitment to a new redevelopment of the Morgan Street site will bring all support services under one roof.

Deputy Labor Leader Richard Marles said, “This investment will not only ensure that the Wathaurong Co-operative can meet the increasing demand but create a modern hub that will provide essential culturally appropriate services to the Indigenous community.”

The redevelopment will create a space that meets current and future needs, including additional health consulting rooms, office, meeting space, hospitality and a conference centre.

Wathaurong CEO Simon Flagg spoke with passion about the project and ensuring that the community has a space where it can gather and grow in culture and connection. “This is about us dreaming together for the future. This project has been talked about for so long, and to see it have this funding commitment means we are one step closer to bringing it to reality and delivering what our community needs,” said Simon.

Wathaurong’s service delivery covers a catchment area of 700 square kilometres across Geelong, Colac and Bellarine Peninsula and the Western Metro region of Melbourne. Wathaurong supports community of over 3500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples providing families with a range of supports from birth to dreaming.

This redevelopment aims to create a site that embraces cultural connection, strengthens connection to community, enhances accessibility and creates a strong identity in the Geelong region.

Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, said, “Culturally safe primary health care is central to making sure we close the gap in life expectancy and health outcomes and Labor is committed to working with First Nations community-controlled organisations to achieve these goals.”