Budget misses bypass but hits other key targets
Greater Shepparton City Council has welcomed Victorian budget allocations for key projects on its priority funding list, including an Early Parenting Centre and expansion of mental health services at Goulburn Valley Health.
Council said the replacement of the mental health unit and additional beds would enable improved models of care and ensure our community had continued access to safe and high-quality mental health services.
A total of $25 million was allocated to construct a 10-bed Early Parenting Centre in Shepparton to support families with children up to four years of age to enhance relationships and achieve their parenting goals.
“We applaud the state government for investing in both of these priority infrastructure projects for greater Shepparton,” Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said.
“Council, along with our community and project partners, have clearly communicated the need and value of these projects for our region and these efforts have paid off.”
The budget also allocated $250 million to deliver 12 new VLocity trains that will support more services on the Shepparton corridor.
“We have been calling for improved train services for our region for many years now,” Cr O’Keeffe said.
“These new VLocity trains are a welcome addition for our region and will provide better services for residents and visitors to our region.”
The budget also funds improvements to the Goulburn Valley Hwy and Graham St intersection and more than $23.7 million for an upgrade to Verney Road School.
Council’s major priority, stage one of the Shepparton bypass, did not receive funding.
“While the funding provided for the greater Shepparton region in this year’s state budget is promising, we will continue to advocate for the projects desperately needed by our region, including the bypass,” Cr O’Keeffe said.
“The Goulburn Valley Hwy in and around greater Shepparton can no longer safely and efficiently support existing traffic volumes, and will impede further regional economic and community growth risks if these inadequacies are not urgently addressed.”