Budget gives the go

PAKENHAM was on the receiving end of a Federal Government budget bonus, with $2.5 million allocated to the redevelopment of the Pakenham Hall and Pakenham Library.

Both facilities will be rebuilt as part of a community infrastructure program, in addition to the $1.162 million already promised to the Cardinia Shire Council for other projects.
The announcement comes a month after the council notified the public of its intention to sell the current Pakenham Library site to pave the way for an $80 million retail hub.
The Federal Budget also delivered funds for road upgrades in Pakenham.
The Cardinia Shire Council has been promised $1.19 million for local road upgrades under the Federal Government’s Roads to Recovery program, while a black spot program will provide for safety improvements along Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham.
Toomuc Valley Road is among the 26 black spots identified in the McMillan electorate which will be fixed at a cost of more than $2.8 million.
Guard rails will be installed, line marking improved, trees removed and shoulders sealed on a section of the road between the Princes Highway and Leppitt Road at a cost of $764,000.