Mixed reaction to State Budget

By Melissa Donchi
NEW fire stations for Warburton and Reefton were among the Upper Yarra highlights unveiled in the State Budget last week.
The cash is one of the promises made by the Labor Party in the run up to the State election last year.
And $416,000 has been announced for works to help protect the endangered helmeted honeyeater although exactly where it will be spent is yet to be decided.
Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater president Bob Anderson said the group appreciated that the Government had fulfilled its promise and were hopeful the money would be spent on the reserve.
“The money has gone to Parks Victoria and DSE and we hope they will spend the money on revegetation and weed control,” Mr Anderson said.
As well as the pre-election promised cash, the Yarra Ranges will also receive $288,580 for a Transport Integration Project, a partnership involving local community groups, transport providers and businesses to find practical solutions to transport disadvantage in the Yarra Ranges.
Monbulk MP James Merlino announced the new initiative, which earmarked the Upper Yarra as a high priority area, which will be one of the first areas to benefit.
Other major funding commitments included $8 million for a new operating theatre and 28 medical beds for Maroondah Hospital and $7.5 million to deliver accommodation for young homeless people in areas such as Yarra Ranges.
Manager of Executive Services for Community Housing Ltd, Paul Ryan said the money for housing was a welcome surprise.
“This money will translate into a significant number of affordable housing units which will assist a wide range of people,” Mr Ryan said.
“While it won’t eliminate the list it will certainly decrease it significantly.”
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn was equally impressed with the funds for public housing saying it was one of the shire’s biggest concerns for young people.
“There is very little public housing for young people in the shire,” Ms Dunn said. “Essentially we hope this funding will translate into genuine housing options because this is a big issue for young people.”
Regional tourism got a $23 million boost but local tourism operators will have to wait and see if this applies to them.
Of the $23 million, $2 million will go to regional community tourism events, $1.2 million will market regional wineries and food to interstate markets while another $1 million will expand the use of the Internet by regional tourist operators.
It wasn’t all good news though with many election promises overlooked.
Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe said there was no specific road funding for the Maroondah, Melba or Warburton Highway, despite the horrific road toll in the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
“In the five-year period from 2001-05 we had 15 fatalities on councils and local roads, more than twice the state average of 6.18 fatalities,” Ms Fyffe said.
“Obviously the Shire of Yarra Ranges is in desperate need of road funding, yet the Bracks Government is continuing to neglect the residents of Evelyn.”
Ms Fyffe was also concerned that there was no reference in the budget to funding for traffic lights on Maroondah Highway in Coldstream, despite having been an election promise.
“Does the Bracks Government plan to neglect a $1.5 million election commitment,” Ms Fyffe said.
“This is a crucial project – the lights are needed now not in 2010.”