MEMBER for Mildura Ali Cupper says infrastructure stimulus spending in the region from the Victorian Government’s $2.7 billion Building Works package falls short of what is deserved.
Ms Cupper said that while Mildura residents would be particularly excited about funding for the next stage of the Mildura Riverfront Precinct Redevelopment, the region should have got a bigger slice of the funding pie.
In addition to the riverfront funding and $800,000 to address a housing shortfall for seasonal workers, some smaller towns in the electorate will also have projects funded.
“The amount of money being invested in the Mildura electorate is significant, however we believe we deserved a bigger share of the $2.7 billion package, particularly in relation to our schools,” Ms Cupper said.
“But it’s just a hurdle — we have the budget coming up in October and I’ll continue to fight to ensure we get our fair share of big-ticket funding, including the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct, which will create about 200 local jobs.”
Ms Cupper said that given the long-running rental crisis in the electorate and the scarcity of decent, affordable housing, she would also be working hard to persuade the government to invest a “decent amount” of $500 million earmarked for Victorian social housing to the Mildura region.
In State Parliament last month, Ms Cupper called on Premier Daniel Andrews to invest in infrastructure projects to supercharge the Victorian economy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including in the many worthwhile infrastructure projects that were required in the Mildura electorate.
“Mildura has languished for many years in terms of State Government investment when compared to other regional centres, while also facing higher unemployment and lower social and economic indicators,” Ms Cupper said.
“In the face of COVID-19, providing economic stimulus by way of new infrastructure not only creates employment, which in turn creates income to be spent in local communities, but results in infrastructure that brings economic benefits of its own by way of increased industrial capability, productivity, innovation and service delivery,” she said.
Ms Cupper said the Mildura South sporting precinct was in “desperate” need of Victorian Government funding, while investment in rail transport, including the restoration of a passenger service to Mildura, was also high on her list of priorities.
“With the health of the Victorian economy and the wellbeing of the people of the Mildura electorate in mind, the action I seek is for the Premier to invest in game-changing infrastructure and services,” she said.
