DEVELOPMENT and change were the hot topics at last week’s Beveridge and Mitchell Shire update run by the Mitchell Shire Council (MSC).
They had five major topics for the upcoming election, stating they’re the five priorities of development that are crucial across the Mitchell Shire.
The get-together included individuals from the Beveridge community and other members of the shire, to launch the councils Beveridge train station campaign in hope to get committed funding from the government ahead of the state election in November.
The priority for the information session, was to push their case for local MP’s to commit funding to either of the five projects, as the Mitchell Shire continues to boom with population.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Councillor John Dougall said the priorities were based on
long-term planning, clear evidence and strong community need.
“These aren’t projects for a distant wish list. They’re practical priorities with clear
next steps that governments can act on now,” Cr Dougall said.
BEVERIDGE TRAIN STATION
A project of major priority for a reason, the station is set to cost $165 million and help a community with a major lack of public transport.
Right now in Beveridge, it’s impossible to get a bus to even the Wallan Woolworths, as all routes head down south to the Craigieburn Train Station.
The future Beveridge station is set to be on the east side of the Hume Fwy, and although seems far from majority of the current Beveridge town centre, it allows the train line to remain the same and the station to be built around it.
The population of the area is set to grow by 100,000 people within 20 years and without any solid public transport, the Hume Freeway will suffer more then it already does.
“Through Build Beveridge Station, we’re asking residents to stand with Council
and send a clear message to every side of politics: the time is now to build
Beveridge Station.” Cr Dougall said.
KILMORE SECONDARY SCHOOL
Kilmore is the largest town in Victoria without a public high school, which has put enormous amounts of pressure on the Broadford and Wallan secondary schools.
Kilmore is set to double in population, and with more people, comes more kids, meaning education facilities will need to grow.
The future secondary school has a locked in location, sitting west of the main township in the newer half of Kilmore, the school will be situated on Butlers Road, near Assumption College Kilmore.
As to the projects price and size, there hasn’t been a heap of information given out, as more land acquisition and funding is still to come.
The school would become a major difference in the education sector of the Mitchell Shire, allowing more room for Wallan and Broadford.
KILMORE BYPASS
The Kilmore Bypass continues to be a topic of discussion at election time for the Mitchell Shire.
The council group is reasonably happy with where things are at, considering the roundabout on the Northern Highway is being constructed, and small amounts of land have been acquired.
The next step for the government is to purchase more land, so they can get the planning finalised, and allow for construction to begin.
The council is seeking the state government to commit a certain amount in their budget that can go towards more land acquisition, instead of delaying it further.
GREENHILL RECREATION PRECINCT
A precinct that will shape the future of Wallan forever, the council is seeking one of four options for this precinct.
The future plans for Greenhill reserve all depend on the introduction of Wallan South, which is in planning with the State government and has been for some time.
Some council members don’t believe the Greenhill precinct will be achievable without the duplication of the Northern Highway.
But if everything was to go to plan, Wallan could receive a new recreation precinct for an aquatic centre and a stadium with multipurpose courts including new gymnastics facilities.
It is a project that would cost close to $300 million in its entirety and something that would shape Wallan.
HILLDENE EMPLOYMENT PRECINCT
The Hilldene Employment Precinct will unlock a regionally significant economic development project for regional Victoria.
Council owns the land and has previously demonstrated strong investor interest, with businesses either on site or ready to move in once enabling infrastructure is in place.
It is set to be located on the outskirts of Seymour with close access to the Hume Freeway and is well suited to logistics, manufacturing and defence related supply chain businesses given its proximity to Puckapunyal.
It will deliver new jobs for Rural Victoria and aligns directly with the Federal and State governments regional jobs and industry agenda.
“Infrastructure and services must grow with communities, not follow years later
when the gaps have become harder and more expensive to fix,” Cr Dougall said.
“Council cannot deliver projects of this scale alone. We will continue working
constructively with all sides of politics, but our community needs firm
commitments and certainty of investment from the next State Government.
Topics that were missed on the night and brought up in the question segment included a new hospital, police station in Beveridge and further upgrades to the Hume Freeway which were all directly answered differently.
