FOUR-million dollars promised to Western Autistic School (WAS) at Niddrie in last year’s budget was redirected towards building a p-12 autism school at Laverton in the state budget.
Laverton P-12 College, next door to the new autism school, was allocated $4million for stage3 of its regeneration project, including redevelopment of its gym facilities and playing areas.
WAS principal Val Gill said she supported the decision.
Autism Schools Action founder, Altona Meadows resident Mark Websdale, said: “This is pretty much what we expected as far as the budget papers. It is good to see things getting under way, but I would also like to see some progress on other alternatives such as inclusion support unit in mainstream schools, like the IDEA program at Moomba Park primary school in Fawkner.”
Western region Liberal MP Bernie Finn said the neglect of children with autism in the west was coming to an end.
Action for Autism Education founder Werribee’s Danny Sorbello said the announcement created some uncertainty.
‘‘It says the total investment is going to be $4million. I’d like to think that this is the first stage and that this isn’t ‘it’.
‘‘Wantirna Heights is getting $6.5million … good luck to them, but it just shows you where the government’s interests lie.’’
But the government drew criticism from state Williamstown MP Wade Noonan for failing to fund a single school in the Williamstown electorate for the second consecutive year.
‘‘Not one local primary or secondary school in the Williamstown electorate will receive new funding to improve their facilities. The budget contains no new funding to deliver additional public transport services, reduce road congestion, create jobs, build new kindergartens, improve our green spaces and recreational facilities, support our community centres, or increase the capacity for our Williamstown Hospital.’’
LeadWest chief executive Anton Mayer agreed it was disappointing that there was no funding for an alternative road crossing to the West Gate Bridge.
While Mr Mayer said LeadWest supported the expansion of Webb Dock — with the exact amount allocated to be announced — there were no announcements about associated infrastructure to stop congestion on Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong roads.
He criticised the government for its plans to start work in the east on the EastWest Link and said this flew in the face of the Eddington Report, which said construction should start in the west.
Western suburbs MP Colleen Hartland said the Greens and the community would fight to build sustainable public transport instead of ‘‘[Premier Ted] Baillieu’s dirty and expensive tollway’’.
Altona MP Jill Hennessy said the budget was a kick in the guts for families.
The budget papers show that $4.677 million funding, which was part of $9.786 million allocated under Labor’s last budget in 2010-11, is expected to be spent at Bayside P-12 College’s Newport campus next financial year.
