Health, roads and education in the inner-west have received a boost with the handing down of the 2016-17 State Budget.
Treasurer Tim Pallas on Wednesday confirmed the Victorian Government will spend $1.46 billion over four years to complete the $5.5 billion Western Distributor toll road.
As Star Weekly reported earlier this month, $17 million has been announced for urgent maintenance at Footscray Hospital and the next stage of planning for an eventual rebuild of the south block on that site.
Health Minister Jill Hennessy announced that Western Health will receive $61.3 million over four years as part of a $2.45 billion package for health including $817m in infrastructure upgrades for hospitals.
Western Health chief executive Alex Cockram said the funding will also enable an additional 64 beds at Sunshine Hospital along with an upgrade to kitchen facilities.
“The additional funding is fantastic news for the west. It is always extremely challenging to meet the vast demands for improved health infrastructure and this funding demonstrates the Andrews Government’s strong commitment to responding to areas of greatest need.”
Greens MP Colleen Hartland said although the money for Footscray Hospital is welcome, the state government has failed to commit to the much needed redevelopment of the hospital.
“Footscray needs a lot more than a few million for urgent infrastructure repair money. So far the Andrews Government has failed to deliver much needed certainty regarding the redevelopment,” she said.
“Three wards and 73 beds have already closed at the hospital due their aged state, so it’s hard to believe Footscray Hospital has missed out on redevelopment funding.”
The budget also provides more than $1 million to ensure the Westgate Punt ferry continues carrying cyclist and pedestrians between Spotswood and Port Melbourne until at least 2020.
Education
Newport Lakes Primary School was allocated $3 million to upgrade and modernise and upgrade its ageing buildings.
As reported by Star Weekly on April 19, principal David Moss said it was sorely needed.
“It’s a school that’s in need of repairs. We do fantastic work within the classroom; it would be nice to get the sort of buildings that adapt to 21st century education.
“There are some original old buildings, there are some that date back from the 1880s.”
The Budget included $500,000 towards the new Footscray Learning Precinct, on top of $1 million provided last year.
Footscray MP Marsha Thomson said the funding shows the Premier’s commitment to creating a state of the art education precinct in the heart of the inner west.
Shadow treasurer Michael O’Brien said Labor’s budget shows that state taxes have jumped by $3.7 billion or 20.7 per cent in just two years.
“That’s less money in the pockets of Victorian families to spend and for businesses to invest.”
with Goya Dmytryshchak
