WHEN it comes to government funding, there has long been a perception in the north-west that Victoria ends at Bendigo.
For so long our region has been overlooked for significant funding investment for crucial infrastructure projects and services, which left many of us disillusioned and angry.
But the tide is turning and the game is changing.
The Victorian Government this week announced more than $150 million worth of investment in various projects throughout the Mildura electorate.
Money has been allocated for crucial schools, roads, public housing, tourism and sports infrastructure projects – many of which have been waiting for years for much-needed and much-deserved upgrades.
Almost every part of our electorate received funding – Mildura, Hopetoun, Robinvale, Sea Lake, Birchip, Merbein, Wycheproof and Ouyen all shared in the windfall.
The announcement that Mildura local government area would receive $40 million and Swan Hill LGA $15 million for construction of new public and affordable housing – combined with separate funding for airconditioning for some existing public housing – will be life-changing for so many people.
For months I have been running the #GameOn campaign for the Victorian Government to “even the score” by investing the final $10 million needed to complete stage 2 of Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct.
So it was a real joy to speaking to stakeholders on Tuesday afternoon after we found out the money had been allocated.
Likewise, the school communities of Hopetoun P-12 College and Merbein P-10 College were ecstatic to know they would receive $9.5 million and $5.9 million respectively to allow them to complete long overdue infrastructure upgrades.
Likewise, the $10 million for improvements to Robinvale-Sea Lake Road has been welcomed by users of that road who have long been campaigning about its dilapidated and dangerous condition.
The 2020-21 budget ticked off a lot of funding projects I have been lobbying for, but the hard work continues as we turn out attention to important investment needed for our region.
This includes the future service needs for Mildura Base Public Hospital, which I raised twice in Victorian Parliament this week.
Given the success we had in this week’s budget, it is clear we are on the map and can look to the future with confidence.
