By Eleanor Wilson
The State Government has retained a number of its election promises and prior investments across the South East in the 2023-24 State Budget.
Released by Treasurer Tim Pallas on Tuesday 23 May, the conservative budget presented a focus on recovering from the financial impact of the Covid pandemic.
While tax hikes and public sector job cuts will slice more than $10 billion in debt over the next four years, Victoria’s debt will continue to rise from $135.4 billion in 2023-24 to $171.4 billion by 2026-27.
Locally, the budget will follow through on last year’s election commitments to invest $8.77 million for Emerald Secondary College, $20.7 million for Clyde Secondary College and an $11.3 million upgrade to facilities at Pakenham Secondary College.
There is also $573 million for building nine new schools pledged in 2022 including Clyde North Primary School and Clyde North Secondary School, Pakenham North West Primary School, Thompsons West Primary School – all to open in 2025.
However, there was no mention of three other new schools promised at the 2022 election – Clyde Creek North Primary School, Clyde Creek North Secondary School and Ballarto Road Primary School.
A new mental health and wellbeing local will be built in Officer, providing the community with a “front door” to mental health and wellbeing professionals and facilities.
Also delivered will be a $400,000 upgrade of the Officer District Dog Park, which was another of Pakenham MP Emma Vulin’s election commitments.
A comprehensive women’s health clinic at Casey Hospital will be one of 20 across the state, with $58 million allocated to provide care providing care and support for conditions like endometriosis, pelvic pain, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), perimenopause and menopause.
$320 million has been earmarked to help deliver upgrades to six different Victorian hospitals and health centres through to 2027, including the West Gippsland Hospital and Stage 2 of the Wonthaggi Hospital build.
But the healthcare investment has attracted criticism from the opposition, with Narracan MP Wayne Farnham questioning the integrity of the cash pool.
“The big concern is there is $320 million allocated over six hospitals, the problem is our hospital costs between $610 million and $675 million,“ Mr Farnham said in a Facebook video.
“So out of this $320 million that is being allocated, we don’t know if we’re being given $2 million, or $20 million or $100 million.“
A question mark also remains around the future of the McGregor Road and Racecourse Road Upgrades in Pakenham and the Clyde Road Upgrade in Berwick, after the Government last week announced these projects would be put on hold while the Federal Government undertakes an Infrastructure review of key projects.
The South East’s coastal villages can expect to benefit from a $9.5 million rebuild of the Warneet South and North jetties, $2.6 million to upgrade the ramp and car park at Tooradin, $2 million to upgrade the ramp at Inverloch and $800,000 toward the Cowes Stage 2 Jetty expansion.
Tooradin Recreation Reserve will receive $2.15 million to upgrade facilities.
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said the budget delivers on every election commitment made to the Bass community.
“ I look forward to working with our community to deliver these projects and more – we deserve to have the infrastructure, services, programs and supports we need to live well,“ she said.
