Inner city Melbourne ratepayers to foot foreign students’ mammoth bill
Inner city ratepayers are set to cough up $180,000 a year to fund a drop-in centre for foreign students after a separate council scheme gifting $200 shopping vouchers has blown out by $400,000.
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Inner city ratepayers are set to cough up $180,000 a year to fund a drop-in centre for foreign students.
And a separate council scheme giving $200 shopping vouchers to overseas students has blown out by $400,000.
The student drop-in centre, called The Couch, was run in the CBD by the Salvation Army but closed in 2016 when it lost state government funding.
However, following a recent motion by City of Melbourne people city chair Beverley Pinder, council management has recommended a six-month trial costing $90,000.
If the pilot program is successful council will spend a further $90,000 for another six months.
It’s proposed it will run four nights a week from 5pm to 9pm offering meals and welfare support in a “safe and welcoming venue”.
Cr Pinder said it would provide ongoing pastoral care for students, as well as providing financial advice and health checks.
“While they are living in our city for a few years it’s reasonable and fair that their welfare is considered by us,” she said.
Salvos’ Project 614 director Major Brendan Nottle said the program was especially needed now as many students were struggling with money due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But Ratepayers Victoria president Dean Hurlston said it was wrong for ratepayer funds to be used for overseas students needs, since their visas required them to have sufficient personal funding.
“Many community members would find this proposal as a virtue-signalling distraction from a council that is doing little to clean up its own homelessness and social issues around Melbourne,” he said.
“More than ever COVID-19 has shown the need to return to rubbish, roads, footpaths, planning, parks and street cleanliness. Save the virtue signalling for state or federal politics, it has no place in local councils.”
In a separate program, the council has spent $600,000 – $400,0000 more than originally budgeted – on $200 shopping vouchers given to foreign students to help them through the pandemic.
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