Avalon, oldies to win
Henderson reveals Budget funding for airport expansion
Budget,” Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson said last night, predicting the construction phase could provide more than 30 jobs at Avalon Airport “and 50 jobs off-airport”.
The budget will also play to “blue rinse voters” with billions of dollars in sweeteners for Australian seniors with a focus on an extra 20,000 home care packages to allow people to stay in their homes for longer.
The landmark ageing plan will include thousands of new places for residential aged care, more support for older people in rural and regional Australia, boosted palliative care funding and new grants for isolated seniors.
AVALON Airport’s international expansion will receive a $20 million funding boost in today’s Federal Budget, Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson has revealed.
The funding will be used to help build an international terminal at the airport to initially house low-cost carrier AirAsia, following a February announcement that it would pull all services from Tullamarine in favour of the Geelong airport.
“The Turnbull Government will commit $20 million to- wards the construction of Avalon’s new international terminal in the 2018 Federal Budget,” Ms Henderson said.
“This is a wonderful investment in Victoria’s second international airport and for our region.”
Ms Henderson said the international terminal was ex- pected to create a major jobs boom for the region.
“The construction phase is estimated to provide over 30 jobs at Avalon Airport and 50 jobs off-airport,” she said.
“Once international flights commence, the new services are expected to generate almost 190 additional full-time jobs at the airport and 170 additional jobs in Geelong and the surrounding region.”
Scott Morrison’s latest Federal Budget will be handed down this evening, with at least $50 million more expected to head Geelong’s way for the city’s long-awaited rail duplication.
Yesterday, the Federal Government revealed a $7.8 billion roads and rail package, $50 million of which would be used to help fund the duplication between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds train stations.
The funding will be on top of a $100 million commitment for the project in the 2017/18 Federal Budget, and will pave the way for V/Line to run extra services between Melbourne and Geelong and add platforms to Marshall, South Geelong and Waurn Ponds stations.
Many stakeholders will be waiting to see if the Federal Budget includes money for the Geelong City Deal, which was handed $153.2 million in the State Government’s budget.
The State Government is seeking matched funding from its federal counterparts to help fund the construction of a Geelong Convention Centre, delivering on the Shipwreck Coast Masterplan, revitalising the city centre and transforming the Waterfront Safe Harbour Precinct.
“…I look forward to our City Deal agreement being finalised as soon as possible,” Ms Henderson said last week.
Tax cuts and an aged care boost are expected to feature heavily in today’s Budget, but it is not yet clear what further funding will be included for Geelong-specific projects.
Corio federal Labor MP Richard Marles said the Budget would be a test for the Government.
“There is a simple test this budget — is it about everyday people or is it about tax cuts for the rich and big business?” Mr Marles said. “More jobs and more health services are the things that our community is crying out for.
“Geelong has been neglected by this government from day one — all I want is our city to get the attention we deserve.”