Several Sunbury and Macedon Ranges schools will get major upgrades, while $2 million will go towards planning for improved Bendigo line train services as part of the 2016-17 state budget announced on Wednesday.
Western Water will receive almost $20.5 million for new projects, $22 million for the Sunbury Recycled Water Plant upgrade, including $1.6 million for improved disinfection at the Gisborne Recycled Water Plant, $1.16 million for two sewer pump stations in Sunbury at Emu Creek and Tame Street and $925,000 for recycled water scheme extensions in Romsey and Woodend.
Treasurer Tim Pallas’ second budget also included $2.8 billion to get the $10 billion Melbourne Metro Rail project under way and ongoing funding for the CityLink Tulla widening project.
A total of $1.3 billion will be invested in regional rail, with $131 million to put more trains and services on the V/Line network. Close to $280 million will fund 27 new VLocity carriages, with the Bendigo line to get an additional two off-peak return services every day.
However, there was no specific funding for items on Hume council’s wishlist including a new school and better bus services for Sunbury, the long-awaited Bulla bypass and traffic lights at the Gap Road–Horne Street intersection.
Schools
The area also missed out on a $62.9 million tech schools program, with construction to take place in Gippsland, Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong, Monash, Casey, Wyndham, Banyule, Yarra Ranges and Whittlesea.
Woodend Primary School will get $2 million for modernisation works following an audit of state school buildings.
The money is on top of three significant projects announced by local MPs before the budget, including $4.8 million for second stage renovations at Sunbury College, $4 million for improvements at Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School and $700,000 for upgrades at Sunbury’s Kismet Park Primary School.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said improvements to schools were well deserved.
“Having visited Woodend Primary School and the Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School many times, I know how hard teachers, staff and parents work to deliver a great education,” she said.
“Today’s announcement will mean even better outcomes as we update and modernise ageing buildings and classrooms.”
Also funded was a study of options to upgrade the intersection of Barry Street and Melbourne-Lancefield Road in Romsey, as part of an $8.7 million investment for the maintenance of smaller roads.
‘Decent services’
Premier Daniel Andrews said the government would deliver decent services for all Victorians, with major investments in regional public transport, schools and roads.
‘‘This budget is all about ensuring the regions remain great places to work, live and do business,’’ he said.
Roads Minister Luke Donnellan talked up $130 million to repair and resurface regional roads and said $51.6 million would go to new overtaking lanes on key highways.
While payroll taxes will be cut, opposition treasury spokesman Michael O’Brien derided the ‘‘tax and spend’’ budget, slamming increases to stamp duty, insurance taxes and public sector wages.
‘‘This budget marks 18 months of the Andrews government but we are losing jobs to NSW, Victorians are being hurt with cost of living pressures, crime rates are up while police stations are closing, and traffic congestion is worse.’’
