FOCUSED ON WHAT MATTERS MOST TO FAMILIES IN NORTHCOTE

The Allan Labor Government is focused on what matters most to families in Northcote, delivering real help with the cost of living and more investment in frontline services.  

For parents in Northcote, every dollar counts. It’s why we’re making public transport free for Victorians under 18.     

It’ll mean savings of up to $755 a year – per child.  With free PT for under 18s, we’re ensuring cheaper school runs, more affordable weekends – and one less thing for families to worry about.  

It’ll make Victoria the first state to introduce free public transport for kids and teens, with the investment beginning 1 January 2026.  

Costs can add up – especially for seniors. It’s why with this Budget, we’re also making statewide public transport free for Victorians aged 60 and over on weekends.     

From 1 January 2026, this change will help Victorians with a Seniors Card in Northcote visit the grandkids or experience even more of our state – without the extra expense.   

We’ve helped families in Northcote slash thousands off their power bills by switching to solar and making their homes more energy efficient. This Budget delivers more rebates for energy efficient heat pumps and solar hot water systems, so that more families can save up to $400 a year on their energy bills.   

We’re also providing energy bill relief to those doing it tough in Northcote. This Budget delivers a $100 Power Saving Bonus to eligible Victorian households with a concession card, in time for their August winter bills.  

Free Kinder is saving families in Northcote up to $2,600 per child on fees, and making sure young Victorians get all the benefits of two years of play-based learning.   

This year alone, Free Kinder is helping over 150,000 families. This Budget continues that support, with an additional $2 billion investment.   

It’s some much-needed cost of living help for families in Northcote, while also making sure every child gets the very best start in life.  

This Budget also invests an extra $5 million to secure a location for the Northcote Early Parenting Centre in Northcote. Once complete, this investment will mean local families have the option of overnight and multi-night stays, as well day programs, to get help with sleep and settling.   

Playing sport keeps kids in Northcote active and healthy. But the cost of uniforms, equipment, memberships and more means some young Victorians are forced to sit on the sidelines.    

That’s why with this Budget, we’re delivering more than 65,000 extra Get Active Kids vouchers for families who need it most. These vouchers, worth up to $200, help with the cost of sport and recreation memberships, registration fees and essential equipment and uniforms.   

With more vouchers, we’ll help remove the financial barrier for families, and make sure kids in Northcote get the chance to play the sport they love.  

More homes means more opportunity. But where they’re built matters.   

It’s why we’ve identified a further 50 activity centres, including in High St Thornbury and St Georges Rd Thornbury. Located around train and tram stops, these activity centres will deliver more homes for more families – close to jobs, transport and services.   

To make sure we get the planning right – this Budget invests $24 million to deliver new planning controls for these activity centres giving certainty to communities about how these places will grow over the coming decades.   

Pitcher Park is a much-loved local space in Alphington, with sports oval, cricket nets, basketball court and playground. Home to the Parkside Sports Club and the North Alphington Cricket Club, it’s a hub of activity for thousands of people. 

We know that football and cricket are at the heart of this sports ground – and that’s why this Budget invests up to $100,000 to build new coaching boxes and team shelters at Pitcher Park. This investment will mean players and coaches are protected from the elements as they cheer on their team. 

We’re also making it cheaper and easier for locals to access care.  

The Budget invests a further $18 million to enable pharmacists to treat even more Victorians with even more conditions – without a trip to the doctor for a prescription. Previously trialled as the Community Pharmacy Pilot, this investment locks it in for good – and makes it even bigger.   

That means pharmacies will be able to treat more conditions with medicines usually only available with a GP script – including allergies, nausea, high blood pressure and minor wound care, with more conditions added progressively over the next two years. 

We’re also covering the cost of the consult – ensuring Victorians can access care for free.  

This is a Budget – and a Government – focused on what matters most to Victorians.   

Quotes attributable to Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous  

"This Budget is about delivering real help for Northcote families. We're tackling the cost of living by investing in the services we rely on, delivering free care through pharmacies, and providing targeted relief where it's needed most.”

“In the inner north, we rely heavily on our trains, trams and buses to get around. Free public transport for under 18s will make a big difference for families – making one less cost to worry about.”