Allocations in the 2023-24 State Budget will see work start on a new $6 million State Emergency Service headquarters in Kilmore, and money for planning to upgrade Broadford Primary School.
Mitchell Shire Council welcomed the inclusion of the Watson Street interchange on the Hume Freeway at Wallan in the Budget, but said it was disappointed with aspects of the Budget that did not address the pressing needs of the shire.
A major concern for the council was the reduction of the Growing Suburbs Fund, GSF, from $50 million to $10 million.
The GSF is money specifically for projects the 15 local government areas in Melbourne’s outer suburbs, with Mitchell Shire receiving funding of $28 million for 28 projects since 2015.
Examples of projects previously supported by the GSF include $1.9 million for Ryans Creek Reserve, Kilmore; $2.1 million for Greater Beveridge Community Centre; $3.4 million for J J Clancy Reserve Integrated Community Facility, Kilmore; $2.3 million for Wallan East Family Centre; $2.2 million for Wallan Town Centre; and $2.4 million for Kilmore Rejuvenation.
Council representatives described the funding cut as ‘a significant blow to Mitchell Shire’.
“We urge the State to review the Growing Suburbs Fund grant allocation in future budgets, as without it, Michell Shire will be absolutely hamstrung in our ability to deliver much needed and overdue infrastructure,” Mayor Fiona Stevens said.
Council also called on the State Government to work in partnership with councils and recognise the urgent needs and potential growth requirements of Mitchell Shire.
Council also expressed disappointment that there was no new money allocation for a Kilmore Bypass.
The bypass did appear in Budget papers, with $20 million previously announced in 2018 for land acquisition to be spent in 2023-24.
The Department of Transport and Planning has completed planning investigations for changes to the western option of the bypass, north of Willowmavin Road, and is now seeking planning approvals.
While council welcomed funding for upgrades to Broadford, Wandong and Beveridge primary schools, it said the absence of new school projects, particularly in Kilmore, was disheartening for the community.
“There are aspects of the State Budget that can be significantly improved for Mitchell Shire, in particular further investment in much needed education facilities in our growing shire,” Cr Stevens said.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the projects in the Budget were the ‘things that matter and the things we promised to Victorians’.
“With this budget, we’re getting on with delivering every election commitment we made at the last election,” she said.
“With targeted investment in schools, mental health, aged care, emergency services, recreation and sporting facilities, and community groups, we’re doing what matters for regional Victorians.
“Every family should have a great local school to send their kids. We’ll kickstart planning on upgrades at Broadford Primary School so students can get a world-class education.”
Other Budget allocations include $100,000 for Mitchell Community Radio and funding to build a new government owned and operated Early Learning Centre in Seymour.
Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said she was disappointed to see no money in the Budget for Broadford Secondary College or Seymour College, both of which she made election pledges to last year.
“Kilmore remains without a public secondary school and the nearby Broadford Secondary had to turn away several families at the start of this year due to the school being so close to capacity,” she said.
“There is obvious demand for public secondary schooling in Kilmore. While Assumption is a fantastic school, not every family can afford to send their children there.
“Seymour has a massive catchment area, and the school offers a great range of hands on and technically learning options.
“The rebuild here at Seymour has been an ongoing process for over a decade, and it was time that this funding was allocated to the school.”
Ms Cleeland welcomed the funding for a new home for Kilmore SES.
“The crew have been knocking back volunteers because they simply do not have the space or infrastructure to support new members,” she said.
“A new and upgraded shed will allow the SES to expand services, welcome new volunteers and continue to serve the region with distinction.”
Ms Cleeland believes Seymour also missed out in the Budget.
“Seymour Football Netball Club remains in urgent need of an upgrade with both the changerooms and function spaces needing improvements from their current, outdated facilities,” she said.
“The amazing volunteers at the Seymour CFA have raised the need for a new site in town because of the growth of the region and the difficulties the current location presents, including needing to make three point turns to get the trucks out of the shed and the nightmare of needing to reverse trucks back into the shed.”
In the Budget for the Macedon electorate was $100,000 for Lancefield Neighbourhood House; $50,000 for Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House; and $550,000 for Lions Park Reserve in Romsey.
For more on the Budget in Kalkallo and Yan Yean electorates, see here.
