Wallan’s Watson Street diamond interchange at Wallan was listed on the 2023-2024 State Budget papers, but with no firm commitment of how much money would be spent on the long-awaited project in the next financial year.
Other projects for the Yan Yean and Kalkallo electorates included in the Budget were a portion of money for schools and hospital upgrades.
Treasurer Tim Pallas described his ninth budget as his ‘most difficult’ due to the Victoria’s $31.5 billion pandemic debt.
The Watson Street interchange falls under the $674 million Road Blitz to Get Families Home Sooner and Safer package, which will ‘upgrade key roads and intersections in major growth areas and regions in order to improve network efficiency, travel times and road safety’.
The interchange is listed among seven projects that the State Government plans to fund under the $674 million package.
Liberal Member for the Northern Metropolitan region Evan Mulholland said although he welcomed the government honouring the $130 million committed to the interchange by both major parties at the election, he believed completion was still too far away.
“There is a $150 million cut to road maintenance, which means Wallan locals are going to be forced to plant more flower beds on the Northern Highway in order to get potholes fixed,” he said.
“Worryingly, we’re not even getting a plan and a business case for the Watson Street, Wallan diamond interchange until next year, and the completion date is now in doubt.
“A firm completion date is now ‘to be confirmed’ …. Labor have taken this project to four separate state and federal elections. They just need to get on with it.”
Wandong Primary School, which Labor pledged $10.1 million of upgrades at last year’s election, will receive $607,000 in the 2023-24 financial year, with $9,493,000 to come at a later date. The estimated completion time is 2026.
Whittlesea Secondary College is among 52 schools listed to receive funding under the $20 million School Upgrades Delivery Fund – $10 million of which is to be delivered in 2023-24.
“With this Budget, we’re starting work on every election promise we made to the people in the electorate of Yan Yean, including major upgrades to the Northern Hospital so locals can get the healthcare they need, when they need it close to home,” Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage said.
“From a new Mernda Regional Aquatic and Sports Centre to a full diamond interchange on the Hume Freeway at Watson Steet, we’re doing what matters for the growing communities of the northern suburbs.”
Ms Kathage said a new Mernda Regional Aquatic and Sport Centre had received a $20 million investment.
Hazel Glen College will also receive $800,000 to upgrade their sport facilities, while $500,000 will go towards a new playground in Doreen. Funding has also been secured to build a new dog park in Wollert.
Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence said two new schools would be built in the Kalkallo electorate, Lockerbie Secondary College and Lockerbie Specialist School, both set to open in 2026, while $5 million will be invested in a new campus of Kolbe College at Mickleham.
“With this Budget, we’re delivering on every election commitment we made to the people of Kalkallo, including building the new Lockerbie Secondary College and Lockerbie Specialist School,” she said.
Ms Spence the Northern Hospital was one of seven hospitals to receive upgrades under the $320 million investment, including a new emergency department and inpatient tower.
Funds have also been allocated for a new comprehensive women’s health clinic at the Northern Hospital to provide care and support for conditions like endometriosis, pelvic pain, polycystic ovary syndrome, perimenopause and menopause.
Funding for a new mental health and wellbeing centre in Diamond Creek has also been allocated.
But Mr Mulholland said healthcare in the northern suburbs was underfunded in this Budget.
“Labor promised just over $1 billion for the Northern and Austin hospitals prior to the election. This Budget, Labor is making it harder for Victorians in the northern suburbs to get decent access to healthcare, with that election commitment seriously underfunded with only $320 million allocated between six hospitals,” he said
Ms Spence said the Budget also included $5 million toward the Greenhill Recreation Precinct project in Wallan; $450,000 for a splash park in the Donnybrook Road corridor; and $50,000 towards developing a new recreation reserve in Beveridge.
For more on the Budget in Mitchell and Macedon Ranges Shires, see here.
