Politics & Council
11 May, 2024
Town pedestrian crossing funding in Budget
PEDESTRIAN lights will appear on the Calder Highway at Wedderburn after funding was confirmed in Tuesday’s State Budget. A community petition last year at the height of a community campaign for improved road safety in Loddon communities collected...
PEDESTRIAN lights will appear on the Calder Highway at Wedderburn after funding was confirmed in Tuesday’s State Budget.
A community petition last year at the height of a community campaign for improved road safety in Loddon communities collected hundreds of signatures.
The Government later announced 40kmh zones through Inglewood and Wedderburn.
But the community calls for a pedestrian crossing in High Street Wedderburn, listed as a Calder Highway improvement priority by Loddon Shire, was not confirmed until a statement by Ripon MP Martha Haylett after Treasurer Tim Pallas had delivered his 10th Budget.
Ms Haylett said the Government had allocated $62 million for upgrades to make rural and regional roads safer.
No announcements were made on Budget day on the future structure of health services with speculation continuing that management across the Loddon-Mallee region will be taken over by Bendigo Health.
Ms Haylett said: “Since the pandemic, the cost of running our health system has continued to increase – but every cent is worth it to keep Victorians healthy. That’s why we’re making the biggest multi-year investment in our health systems in Victoria’s history. It’ll mean our hospitals have the long-term certainty they need over the coming years.
Ms Haylett also said there would not be delays with Wedderburn’s child care centre that was “still very much on track for delivery by 2026”.
Budget papers show that Coliban Water will spend $1.3 million on its Bridgewater system tank renewal with a finish date late next financial year. They say increased construction costs have blown out the project cost by $190,000.
Goulburn Murray Water’s plans for spillway outlet work upgrades at Laanecoorie Reservoir have been delayed. Originally included in last year’s Budget, work is now not expected to be finished until June 2026. The project cost bas been cut by almost $500,000 $3.9 million and the “project re-prioritised”.
Funds for the $12.9 million upgrade at Wedderburn College are included in the Budget papers.
The Government says it will deliver a once-off $400 School Saving Bonus to help cover the cost of uniforms, excursions, sports and the extras that make school fun.
“Available to every government school student, and those doing it tough at non-government schools – it gives regional families one less thing to worry about. We’re also tripling the Glasses for Kids program – reaching an extra 74,000 young Victorians across the state – providing free vision screening and prescription glasses for kids who need them,” the Government said.
“And we’re delivering even more Get Active Kids vouchers, providing up to $200 to help families cover the costs of kids’ sport.”
Ms Haylett said: “In recent months, Victorians have already experienced the cruel impacts of fires, floods, and storms. In this Budget we are continuing our support for those Victorians that have been affected by these catastrophic weather events ... with $301.5 million to help them rebuild and recover.
“This includes repairs to schools, roads, and other infrastructure, as well as temporary accommodation, relief payments and mental health support for residents who need help recovering.
“We’re also supporting our rural farmers and small businesses experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship with $4.1 million to continue the Rural Financial Counselling service.
“This free and independent service provides advice and support at a time it’s needed most,” Ms Haylett said.