LODDON communities have missed out on specific funding boosts in the first raft of State Budget announcement on Tuesday.
However, Ripon MP Martha Haylett said the Government was focused on what matters most to families and delivering help with the cost of living and more investment in frontline services.
She said Budget measures included new allowance for the cost of camps, school sports and excursions for families with a health care or concession card. 
Payments will increase from $154 a year for primary school students and $256 a year for secondary students to $400.
Ms Haylett also said public transport would be free for all children under 18.
Rural Councils Victoria chair Rob Amos said the Government had “sacrificed rural communities on the altar of budget repair”.
“Despite using rural communities to prop up the state’s finances, this budget fails to deliver for rural communities,” he said
“Most of the spending is pre-announced or business as usual, with very few new initiatives for rural voters.
“Investing in new schools and roads upgrades is the bare minimum we expect from government.
“Rural Victoria is bearing the brunt of tax increases with very little to show for it.
“The budget appears not to contain any new measures to support rural councils to manage the delivery essential programs and basic infrastructure with limited revenue.”
Last year’s State Budget included funding for a pedestrian cross in Wedderburn.
Work is still to start on the installation of the crossing and lights to improve pedestrian safety.