Zoe Moffatt
Sunbury TAFE will receive $17 million of already committed funding in the 2024-25 budget, while water upgrades appear to be one of the only things trickling in for the Macedon Ranges.
Treasurer Tim Pallas released his 10th state budget on May 7, with education funding- including a $400 bonus for families of eligible students- a focus for the upcoming financial year.
The new Sunbury TAFE, partnered with the Bendigo Kangan Institute will receive $17.324 million in the 2024-25 financial year, of its $25 million in funding.
Other schools to receive funding in the area for the next financial year include $10.591 million for Diggers Rest Primary School and $6.541 million for Gisborne Secondary College.
In the Macedon Ranges, the Kyneton recycled water pipeline total estimated investment was incorrectly reported by more than $4 million dollars in last year’s budget.
The correct forecast expenditure of the project is $8.57 million, with $837,000 to be delivered in the 2024-25 budget.
The Gisborne recycled water plant upgrade will receive $13.807 million of its $58.564 million budget in the 2024-25 financial year.
Completion of the Romsey water filtration plant upgrade has been revised to finish between October to December 2025, with $17.862 million to be delivered in this budget.
There will be $8.931 million of the $27.961 million budget remaining to be delivered for the upgrade.
The Kyneton sewer compliance received $350,000, the Kyneton sewerage Jeffrey Street sewer pump station received $2.212 million and various areas, including Kyneton received $3.926 million for log reduction value upgrades at water treatment plants.
Trentham water treatment plant capacity upgrade received $300,000 and the Malmsbury reservoir outlet tower walkway renewal received $443,000.
Turning towards health, the state government is also progressing the delivery of seven community hospitals, including in Sunbury, which is due to be completed in 2024.
However, residents waiting on progress for the Melbourne Airport rail link will continue to wait, with the project delayed at least four years, with other projects being prioritised.
Mr Pallas said the state government had to focus on other areas of development.
“We have a huge amount of funding tied up with the Melbourne Airport Rail project. We need to be realistic about the project and its timeline,” he said.
“We’ve made the sensible decision to acknowledge the project is now at least four years delayed.”
