Hi, I’m Kat Theophanous - the Labor Member of Parliament for Northcote in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.
Hi, I’m Kat Theophanous - the Labor Member of Parliament for Northcote in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.
The Victorian Budget 2026/27 invests almost $100 million to:
Expand bus hours and weekend services
Deliver new and upgraded routes in growing suburbs
Boost services connecting to universities
Northern suburbs
Improving access to La Trobe Uni, with additional weekday and evening services (Routes 301, 551 and 561)
More evening services and Sunday trips extended between Roxburgh Park and Pascoe Vale (Route 542)
More services in the evening between Mernda Station and RMIT Bundoora (Routes 386 and 387)
More evening trips, improving connections to Sydney Road, Brunswick and Northcote stations (Routes 508 and 526)
Investing in new trains also supports more services on the network and more space at peak times.
Mernda and Hurstbridge lines:
trains every 20 mins to Mernda and Eltham all weekend – up from every 30 mins in the evening and every 40 mins on Sunday morning
services every 10 mins between the city and Clifton Hill – up from every 15 mins on weekend evenings and every 20 mins on Sunday mornings into the city
Kat Theophanous MP announced that local Parkside Clubs in Alphington will share in more than $18.3 million for 78 new projects through the latest round of the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.
Darebin Council will receive $452,000 towards repair and renewal to the ground at Pitcher Park, including drainage, levelling and resurfacing with natural turf and renewal of the cricket wicket.
Labor is making renting fairer and more affordable.
Building on the more than 150 renters’ reforms Labor has introduced, further reforms to protect renters come into effect on Tuesday.
These reforms will make finding a rental even fairer, faster and more affordable.
Victorians will soon be able to access three hours of free power in the middle of the day, every day of the week.
This could save families up to $300 per year off their energy bills, and up to $1,070 if they have solar panels and batteries.
Victoria’s Midday Power Saver offer will be available from 1 October 2026.
Henderson Park in Thornbury is set to receive a major upgrade thanks to $498, 600 in new funding from the Victorian Government’s Pick My Park program, including matched funding from Darebin City Council.
This investment will help deliver important improvements to one of our neighbourhood’s most loved local parks, making it an even better place for families, children and neighbours to gather, play and relax.
No one should have to miss out on work, skip class or the sport they love because they can’t afford period products. That’s why the Allan Labor Government is continuing to expand access to more women and girls for free.
The Allan Labor Government is making it easier to get the Pill at the chemist without a script.
From July, women over 18 will be able to access the oral contraceptive pill at one of 850 participating Chemist Care Now pharmacies.
This change saves women time and gives them more options to get the care they need.
The Allan Labor Government is delivering more free women’s health clinics because women deserve access to the best specialist care without the burden of cost or excessive travel.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today announced the next round of clinic locations – delivering on our commitment to establish 20 dedicated multidisciplinary clinics across the state.
Member for Northcote, Kat Theophanous MP, today announced a $55,000 grant from the state government to work with the traders of Northcote Rise and local artists to create up to 20 artworks along the street. A further $11,000 grant co-contribution is being provided by Darebin City Council.
Kat Theophanous MP today announced Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd (VACSAL) is one of 19 successful applicants will share in more than $68,000 from the latest round of the Aboriginal Sport Participation Grant Program – to help pay for participation in sport carnivals, travel, uniforms, equipment.
Minister Shing today announced Nightingale Housing will build 70 homes on a former rail spur in Alphington. Featuring a pocket park and a new pedestrian and cycling connection between Grange Road, Hamilton Street and Railway Place, families will be able to walk or cycle to local shops, transport, schools and work.
The Allan Labor Government is building a stronger, more inclusive health system that works for all Victorians – no matter where you were born or what language you speak.
Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts Harriet Shing recently announced $17 million towards the first round of the Pick My Park program, delivering new and upgraded parks in priority precincts and Train and Tram Activity Centres.
As part of this investment, Henderson Park in Thornbury will receive a $249,200 state contribution towards a major upgrade, alongside another $249,400 from Darebin City Council.
The project will deliver new barbecues and picnic areas, a new shelter with picnic tables and BBQ facilities, renewed park infrastructure, and expanded planting and landscaping.
The Allan Labor Government is delivering free, community-based mental health support to Melbourne’s inner north, making it easier for locals to get the help they need close to home.
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt has officially opened the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Darebin, now operating from two Northcote sites at 413 High Street and Your Community Health at 42 Separation Street.
The Allan Labor Government has opened Victoria’s newest electric bus depot in Preston, accelerating Victoria’s transition from diesel buses to Zero-Emission Buses (ZEBs).
The Preston depot features a Victorian-first overhead gantry charging system that increases space and capacity for the new ZEB fleet to support Victoria’s journey to net zero emissions by 2045.
The Allan Labor Government is delivering real cost-of-living relief to families and making the first day of school extra special with Preps at every government school to receive a free bundle of books and resources.
The 2026 Prep Bags feature five free books selected by a panel of experts to spark a lifelong love of reading and lift every student’s literacy and learning outcomes.
The Allan Labor Government is getting on with delivering world-class healthcare for families in Melbourne’s north eastern suburbs, with major works to expand the emergency department at the Austin Hospital officially underway.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne today visited the hospital in Heidelberg to make the significant milestone – made possible by a $275 million investment in the Victorian Budget 2024/25.
The Allan Labor Government is making public transport free for every child, every day, everywhere – putting money back in the pockets of parents right across Victoria.
Acting Premier Ben Carroll and Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams today announced that all passengers under 18 are now able to catch a train, tram or bus for free with their Youth myki card anywhere in the state.
The Allan Labor Government is making it easier for Victorians in Melbourne’s inner north to get free, community-based mental health care with a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Local now supporting the community.
As part of the latest round of the Creative Enterprises Program, five inner north organisations have secured multi-year funding to continue their vital work supporting artists, audiences and inclusive creative experiences.
Successful local recipients include Circus Nexus, Gertrude Contemporary, Multicultural Arts Victoria, Speak Percussion, and Arts Project Australia - organisations that collectively support artists of all ages and abilities, amplify diverse voices, and place Northcote at the heart of Victoria’s creative life.
The Allan Labor Government is delivering more homes close to public transport, jobs, schools, shops and services – while also delivering more local infrastructure like roads, parks and bike paths.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny today announced changes to outdated car parking requirements which will make it cheaper and easier to build homes in well-connected areas – plus plans to extend the existing infrastructure contributions system to more Train and Tram Zones.
While we’re building more homes, Liberals continue to block them. They still oppose our Bill to overhaul Victoria’s planning system and deliver more homes for young people near transport, jobs and services.
No one should go hungry, which is why the Allan Labor Government is delivering more support for food relief across Victoria.
Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence today visited Alex Makes Meals in Preston to announce 133 organisations will share in $9 million through the Community Food Relief Program, doubling the program’s funding this year to deliver fresh and nutritious food right across Victoria.
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt today announced services have now commenced at the Northcote Local. Mental Health and wellbeing supports are now available via phone or telehealth, with the services scaling up to offering in person support over the coming months.
Acting as a 'front door' to the mental health system, the Locals offer support and treatment for Victorians experiencing mental illness or psychological distress, including co-occurring substance use or addiction
The Allan Labor Government’s landmark rental protection laws have taken effect – making renting safer and fairer for the hundreds of thousands of Victorians.
The new laws which came into effect today increase renter protections and cement Victoria as the best state in the nation for renters’ rights.
The Allan Labor Government is helping families with cost of living, building the future of Victoria while putting jobs and workers first, to continue delivering nation-leading climate action.
Minister for Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio today released Victoria’s Climate Change Strategy 2026-30, which sets the direction for the next five years of climate action in Victoria with a focus on helping families.
When the Allan Labor Government launched its landmark Inquiry into Women’s Pain, it was an acknowledgement of what Victorian women already know: their pain is real, and the system needs to do better.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today released the final Bridging the Gender Pain Gap report – the result of an overwhelming number of submissions.
The Allan Labor Government is opening doors for Victorian homebuyers near train stations and tram corridors.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny visited Kew today to release draft maps showing proposed heights and boundaries for 25 of 50 new Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres.
The plans will help deliver more than 300,000 additional homes close to jobs, services and transport by 2051.
A major milestone in Victoria’s decade-long Treaty process has been achieved with the Victorian Government and First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria reaching in-principle agreement on Australia’s first Treaty.
The first negotiated Statewide Treaty Agreement brings together First Peoples, through the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, and the Victorian Government, to build a new relationship based on respect, trust and integrity. It acknowledges our past and is a chance for all Victorians to move forward together.
