Budget benefits for police and schools

By Dion Teasdale
THE Yarra Valley’s police stations, tourism industry, schools and neighbourhood houses stand to benefit from last week’s State Government budget.
Local state parliamentarians Seymour MP Ben Hardman, Evelyn MP Heather McTaggart and Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato have welcomed the budget and its windfalls for the Yarra Valley.
Yarra Junction and Lilydale will both receive new police stations.
A new $13.9 million police station will be built in Lilydale and a $1 million station will be built in Yarra Junction.
The new station in Lilydale is expected to accommodate up to 114 staff, as well as a regional response unit, and the new station in Yarra Junction will replace the portable station that has served the town for 25 years.
Ms McTaggart said she was delighted Lilydale was getting a new station.
“Policing in Lilydale has a long history and this station will ensure local police have the facilities they need to continue their proud tradition of upholding community safety in the area,” she said.
Ms Lobato said she was pleased to see that ongoing representations had resulted in Yarra Junction being included in the budget.
“I am elated that the new police station will be upgraded and meet the standard that both the police and the community require,” she said.
Lilydale High School will receive $5.65 million to upgrade its school buildings and facilities.
Ms McTaggart said the funding would be used to construct 15 new general purpose classrooms, new art and graphics facilities, new personal development facilities, new staff work space and staff and student toilets.
“The extra funds will greatly enhance facilities at the school and ensure the students have access to a modern learning environment,” Ms McTaggart said.
The budget also includes an allocation of $400,000 towards the redeveloping the Museum of Lillydale into a regional civic and cultural facility.
Ms McTaggart said the investment matched $400,000 raised by the community and the supporters of the museum.
“The new facility will be great for public events and citizenship ceremonies, and work in well with the Athenaeum Theatre.”
Another budget highlight for the area is the provision of a $450,000 grant to improve pedestrian safety along the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail.
Ms McTaggart said the project would see the construction of pedestrian-operated signals at the point where the Rail Trail crosses York Road in Mt Evelyn.
Local neighbourhood houses are also set to benefit from a boost to funding for neighbourhood house networks across the state.
Mr Hardman said the state’s 355 neighbourhood houses will receive an extra $27.8 million over four years to boost social, educational and recreational opportunities.
He said neighbourhood houses eligible for the new funding include Healesville Living and Learning Centre, Yarra Glen and District Living and Learning Centre, the Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House and the Toolangi Neighbourhood House.
“This is a significant investment in neighbourhood houses by the Bracks Government, and I believe it will be welcomed by organisers, users and supporters,” Mr Hardman said.
Despite the State Government announcing an $858 million investment in new bus routes and rail projects over the next four years, only one Yarra Valley bus route was earmarked in the budget for improvements.
The 693 Warburton to Chirnside Park bus route, operated by Martyrs Bus Service, will be funded to offer extended hours of operation.
Ms McTaggart defended the budget provisions.
“The Yarra Valley has seen a number of public transport improvements and extensions to services over the past 12 months,” she said.
“We will continue to lobby for improved frequencies and some later night services across a wide range of services and I’m confident these will come in the future.”