By Matthew Sims
Baw Baw Council has criticised the 2024-25 State Budget for providing limited support for the area, despite the council placing pressure for the State Government to commit funding towards a road network around Drouin and Warragul.
Released on Tuesday 7 May, the budget included more funding to continue planning for a new hospital in West Gippsland.
Baw Baw Council mayor Annemarie McCabe said while she understood that this year’s budget was delivered within a financially constrained environment and it was pleasing to see a budget aimed at helping families to alleviate the current financial pressures, the budget was a disappointment for the region.
“In the lead up to the State Budget, Baw Baw Shire Council made a pre-budget submission which outlined a series of projects and initiatives that council is seeking support to help fund and manage,” she said.
“Part of this was our ongoing request to see $3 million in funding allocated to Regional Roads Victoria to design a modern, fit-for purpose arterial road network that can handle the amount of traffic we’re seeing now and will see in the future.
“This $3 million would support the Department of Transport to understand which roads, or consider how new roads, would best unlock and support moving vehicles around Drouin and Warragul, rather than drivers being forced to drive through and create major congestion in our towns.”
Cr McCabe said she hoped construction on the new hospital for West Gippsland could begin soon via the Health Infrastructure Delivery Fund.
“Delays in progressing this project could cost lives and negatively impact health outcomes for locals, so we thank the State Government for committing to keep this project on track,” she said.
Cr McCabe said the council would continue to have conversations with the State Government about the council’s funding priorities.
“Our advocacy must be community led and our residents should not underestimate the impact their voice has in calling on the State Government for more funding and support in Baw Baw,” she said.
