By JESSE GRAHAM
WHILE the budget contains many admirable projects and improvements for the education and healthcare sectors, Yarra Valley residents may feel short-changed by the lack of capital programs in their electorates.
Eildon MP Cindy McLeish and Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe, both members of the Liberal Party, have criticised the budget for not providing for residents in the Yarra Ranges.
In the lead-up to the 29 November State Election, the Coalition made a number of funding promises for new facilities across the valley and into the north, should they be re-elected.
But, according to Ms McLeish, Labor only came to the electorate with one election promise – to provide $2 million for the Yarra Junction Primary School to rebuild classrooms and construct a new art room.
“I’m certainly disappointed in the budget locally,” she said.
With projects such as the Warburton Mountain Bike Trails, the Yarra Valley Equestrian Park and a new fire station for the Healesville CFA – all Coalition promises – not appearing in the budget, Ms McLeish said the area was being “ignored”.
“I’m hoping that they (the Victorian Government) will turn their mind to some of the more outlying and regional areas in the east, because they’re being ignored,” she said.
“In an area greater than 10,000 square kilometres, to have one commitment of $2 million really short-sells us.”
Ms Fyffe also declared the budget “a flop” for the area, joining Ms McLeish in criticising the lack of funding for Coalition pre-election pledges.
However, while Ms Fyffe said the government “failed to provide funding” to re-open Lilydale’s former Swinburne University of Technology campus, Deputy Premier and Monbulk MP James Merlino said $10 million had been allocated through the government’s $320 million TAFE Rescue Fund.
Community groups and schools in the hills are also set to benefit from a number of programs in the budget.
BUDGET LOSERS:
*Healesville CFA: THE Liberal National Coalition promised $1.75 million towards a new station for Healesville CFA if elected. Though new stations around the state have been announced, there is no sign that Healesville will be one of the benefitting brigades.
*Warburton’s mountain bike riders: THEN-Premier, Denis Napthine, personally visited Warburton during the election campaign last year to promise $3.25 million towards the Yarra Ranges Council’s Warburton Mountain Bike Trail project if elected. The new government has made no commitments to matching the funding, and there is no indication in the budget this will happen in the coming year.
*Yarra Valley equestrian riders: ANOTHER pre-election promise from the Coalition was to fund the first stage of setting up a Yarra Valley Equestrian Park ($250,000), which would accommodate shows, competitions and events of a size that cannot be currently held in the area. But the project will not be funded in this budget.
*Landcare groups in the hills: THE Coalition pledged $190,000 in grants to 10 environment and Landcare groups in the hills shortly before the election last year, with the Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network to receive $40,000 in funding for work in Monbulk. With Labor winning, the promise will not be funded.
*Lilydale drivers: THE Maroondah Highway level crossing in Lilydale will be removed under the government’s plan to remove 52 of the most dangerous level crossings – at a total cost of $6-$8 billion – but the budget lists no plans for the Lilydale crossing in the coming year.
What do you think of the State Budget? Do you think the Yarra Ranges got its fair share? What do you think are the best and worst parts? Email editor@mailnewsgroup.com.au or write a letter to 244 Maroondah Highway, Healesville.
For a list of winners under the State Budget, click here.
