By Jed Lanyon and Romy Stephens
The Victorian Government has delivered the biggest budget in the state’s history in a bid to boost the economy and assist the state recover in light of significant debt caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Here’s how some of that funding will be used to support the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges:
Environment
$52 million in funding is set to go to Parks Victoria to upgrade sites in the Dandenong Ranges and many other Victorian locations to deliver new walking trails, new picnic tables and new barbecues. This budget invests in community spaces including upgrades to Silvan Reservoir Park and Dandenong Ranges National Park.
$10 million has been set aside for the Yellingbo Conservation Area that will improve water quality, protect critically endangered species, boost tourism opportunities and ensure the recommendations of the VEAC report are delivered.
The government will provide $8.967 million to support the Victorian Landcare Program and environmental volunteering. This includes funding for the continued employment of Landcare facilitators who play a valuable role coordinating the efforts of volunteers across the state in Eastern Victoria.
Amongst the Eastern Victoria Landcare projects are Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network, Southern Ranges Environment Alliance, Yarra Ranges Landcare Network and West Gippsland Landcare Sub Network.
The State Government has allocated a further $18.2 million to address Victoria’s ongoing feral deer problem. Many local residents and landcare groups have expressed their concerns about this growing issue over the years.
The budget also provides funding to build and upgrade 1,447 kilometres of bushfire fuel breaks, providing additional fire protection for townships around forests.
Infrastructure
In health, $4.5 million will be used to accelerate the planning and design for the Angliss Hospital expansion in Ferntree Gully.
Lilydale and Boronia will benefit from a shared $20 million to revitalise town centres as well as receiving upgrades and improvements to local community spaces. Other townships to benefit from this funding will be Altona, Broadmeadows, Frankston, Noble Park, Reservoir and Tarneit.
The Olinda Precinct Stage Two project will benefit from $3.4 million, improving access into the Olinda Township and recreation trails into the reserve.
Education
Education Minister James Merlino said this budget delivered the biggest investment in inclusive education in the state’s history as Yarra Ranges Special Development School is set to benefit from $8.93 million to deliver the next stage of the school’s masterplan.
Students at Billanook Primary School will enjoy better facilities with a $7.81 million upgrade to modernise the school.
The Lilydale and Upper Yarra Education Plan received a further $23.67 million to complete major upgrades and new facilities at Yarra Valley public schools.
Lilydale Heights Secondary College will receive an $11.3 million boost to upgrade and modernise their science and maths building and technology and arts building.
This is in addition to the $8 million upgrade already underway at the school, which will deliver facilities such as a Sustainable Learning Hub, new gym and ‘town centre’. Construction is also expected to start on $5.35 million worth of further upgrades next year.
Students and staff at Lilydale High School will enjoy a new library and refurbished classrooms, thanks to a new investment of $6.37 million.
Construction is nearly completed on the school’s $5.8 million rebuild of its Zoology Learning Centre and new administration facilities, with works to start on further upgrades worth $3.2 million next year.
The State Government is also providing a further $6 million for Upper Yarra Secondary College for Stage 3 of works at the school, which will include refurbishing its library and Block A.
The school has already been provided $10.33 million for upgrades, with construction well underway for Stage 1 works and Stage 2 expected to start in the new year.
“As we recover from the pandemic, this Budget is about making our state stronger and fairer,” Mr Merlino said. “It’s why we’re upgrading local schools and delivering the biggest investment in inclusive education, ever.”
“We promised to put people first – and as we recover, people will continue to be our first priority.”
Shadow Minister for Education and Eildon MP accused the State Government of back-ending spending to come near the next state election in 2022.
“Dilapidated Victorian schools must not have to wait for funding just because Andrews wants to cut a ribbon just before the next election.”
Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence said the State Government failed to provide funding to “desperately needed” infrastructure projects such as the Maroondah Highway duplication in Coldstream and for safety upgrades to the Warburton Highway, which saw another collision occur on Thursday 26 December.
“While Daniel Andrews and Labor have borrowed billions for city projects, they still arrogantly refuse to spend the Federal funding that’s sitting waiting to duplicate the Maroondah Highway at Killara Road in Coldstream.
“They still fail to fix dangerous Yarra Valley roads and have again ignored the desperate need to upgrade Warburton Highway at Seville East where there are regular car crashes and school children struggle to cross safely from the bus stops.”
