Budget delivers on promises

AFTER a slight delay, the State government handed down its post re-election budget on Monday, and Ballarat saw many of the pledges made during November campaign funded.

They included $10 million for Her Majesty’s, $2.5 million for lighting around and near Lake Wendouree, $5 million for work to improve street scapes and public space in Sebas and $7.1 million for the Wendouree Recreation and Community Hub.

“What you’ve seen in the budget… is a budget that delivers on each and every one of the election commitments that we made,” said roads minister and Western Victoria upper house MP, Jaala Pulford said.

When it comes to the $14 million dollar promise for 1000 free off-street carparking spaces, that pledge will share in $30 million allocated for parking statewide. There’s still no confirmation on where or how the spaces will be delivered.

There were also some extra treats for the city in the form of $60 million for 10 road projects, and part of $100 million for work towards electrifying the Ballarat train line to Melton and separate tracks for intercity services.

The some of the 10 road projects include works along Wilshire Lane at LaTrobe Street and the Glenelg Highway, Gillies and Gregory streets, Dyson Drive and Ballarat-Carngham Road, and the Midland Highway at Docwra and Hertford streets along with that highway getting duel-carriageway from Queen to Docwra streets.

Other key funding areas include the completion of the bus interchange at the Ballarat Station, seven school facility upgrades and planning work for a new school at Miners Rest.

Shadow Treasurer and member for Ripon, Louise Staley, was critical of the government’s lack of action on the Miners Rest school, with $1.9 million allocated for scoping.

“During the 2018 State election campaign the Minister for Education promised $17.1 million to build the new Miners Rest Primary School,” she said. “The Andrews Government have been playing politics with the Miners Rest community by promising a new primary school in an election year and now delaying funding.”

On a municipal level, City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh welcomed the budget announcements.

“These projects all resonate with communities in Ballarat,” she said. “They are projects City of Ballarat supports, many which we lobbied hard for in the lead up to the state election. It is pleasing to see them being funded.

“Thanks of course must go to our local members of parliament, Juliana Addison and Michaela Settle, both of whom have clearly worked hard to ensure these projects will be funded at the beginning of the State government’s term.”