By JESSE GRAHAM AND VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
EDUCATION has come out as the big winner in the new state budget.
The 2016-17 budget outlined a $13.3 million investment in the region’s schools and an undisclosed amount of cash for a new technical school at the closed Swinburne Lilydale campus.
The continued development and upgrades to Emerald Secondary College will see another $1.2 million invested in the school over 2016-17 financial year.
Monbulk College will also see existing upgrades continue to the coming fiscal year with another $1.2 million invested in the school.
The Basin Primary School will also have buildings modernised and new facilities added to accommodate The Basin Community House.
The primary school will receive $55,000 over 2016-17 and a further $1.5 million until the expected finish of the project in 2018-19.
In the Yarra Valley, $1.7 million in funding will go towards works at the Yarra Junction Primary School following a pre-election announcement by Labor of $2 million.
Sewer growth in Sherbrooke will receive $3 million, delivering much needed waste management services to properties in the Dandenongs.
The upgrade to the Angliss Hospital intensive care and short stay units has been allocated $2.8 million towards the $20 million project.
Healesville Hospital’s redevelopment, meanwhile, will receive $4.3 million for continuing works ahead of its completion in 2017.
Warburton police will get a new home as part of the $9.7 million being spent on the state’s police stations.
The Yarra Ranges will also receive some of the $33.4 million for weed and pest management across the state as well as money to protect the Leadbeater’s possum and helmeted honeyeater.
Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said the technical schools initiative “will enable thousands of our young people to receive a modern technical element to their secondary education”.
“Working with cutting edge technology, they’ll gain industry experience while pursuing their interests and developing their talents.”
The Government has also set a goal of 2.49 million annual visitors to Melbourne and Werribee Zoos, along with Healesville Sanctuary – an increase of 100,000 visitors from last year’s goal.
Money was not allocated in the budget for a new CFA station for Healesville, which Opposition leader Matthew Guy and Eildon MP Cindy McLeish recently lobbied the government for.
Family violence services will be improved, with the government committing $572 million to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
Mr Pallas said that extra housing, more family counselling services and prevention efforts would give women and children fleeing abusive relationships more options.
“While these and other measures in the package will support current victims of family violence, our ultimate task is to stop it from happening in the first place,” he said.
Small businesses will pay less tax, with the government increasing the payroll tax threshold from $550,000 to $650,000 over the coming four years.
Level crossing removals will continue, with $636 million allocated over the coming financial year, though a timeline has yet to be announced for the Lilydale level crossing removal.
To see the full budget documents, visit budget.vic.gov.au.
