Budget is a winner for aged care unit

A 100-BED aged care facility in Doveton looms as a main stand out for Casey in the newly announced State budget.
The $34.5 million project also follows funding for major upgrades at River Gum Primary School in Hampton Park and Pearcedale Primary School.
Funding was also allocated for the previously announced new Technical Education Centre in Berwick along with $17 million to duplicate Berwick-Cranbourne Road.
Victorian Treasurer John Brumby said the 2006-07 State Budget would ensure Melbourne’s burgeoning suburbs were supported by key services in education, health and infrastructure as they grow.
Mr Brumby said central to the funding boost for growth suburbs such as Casey was $25 million for improved early childhood welfare and health services under the Growing Communities, Thriving Children initiative across various municipalities.
Casey, along with eight other suburban councils, will also receive funding to deliver community-based childcare and kindergarten services, maternal child health services and disability services for children.
As part of a $25 million boost to the State’s ambulance service, stations at Pakenham and Cranbourne North will also be expanded to better service the outer south-eastern suburbs.
A new $20.6 million Growth Areas Authority will be established over five years in the 2006-07 Budget to support planning for new infrastructure and services to meet growth in five growth areas — the City of Casey being one of them.
In another announcement about 1.2 million Victorian households and small businesses will receive savings on average electricity bills of between $33 and $57 in 2006 and 2007, and others facing financial hardship will get help to pay their energy bills.
Allocations to Victorian families in financial hardship and unable to meet their energy bills will be boosted by $4.6 million to a total of $11 million over the next two years.
Education services minister Jacinta Allan also said that an annual child transition payment, the School Start Bonus, would be made to the parents of every child starting Prep and year seven at every school in Victoria at a cost of $182 million over five years.
“From next year a payment of $300 for students starting Prep and those making the transition to year seven will help parents meet the costs of new uniforms and equipment,” she said.
“Students in those year levels will also benefit this year with an immediate half-year $150 payment to be made early in term three,” Ms Allan said.
The Park and Ride program received a major boost in the Budget with $7.2 million to be spent to deliver 1000 car parks over the next two years at a range of locations including sites in Cranbourne and Pakenham.
The 827 bus from Berwick to Hampton station and the 893 Cranbourne — Dandenong are also set to see an increase in services.
A new bus route from Beaconsfield to Bridgewater Estate will also connect Beaconsfield and Berwick stations.
The State Government also announced further land tax reform but no changes were made to stamp duty in a blow for homebuyers.
However, a drop in payroll tax will occur dropping from 5.25 to 5 per cent.