Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP today welcomed the Brumby Labor Government’s 2009 State Budget and its record $11.5 billion infrastructure investment that will secure up to 35,000 jobs in the next financial year.
Ms Tierney said the Brumby Labor Government was taking action by investing in infrastructure to secure jobs and stimulate the economy to support Victorian families from the impact of the Global Financial Crisis.
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action now, delivering strong leadership to support Victorian families in tough global times,” Ms Tierney said.
“This infrastructure investment includes critical projects – in our schools, our hospitals, our roads, our rail system – are building for the future and securing jobs today.”
The State and Federal Governments stand shoulder to shoulder to deliver first class educational opportunities for rural and regional Victorians with a number of local schools receiving funding including:
• $3 million for the Warrnambool East Primary School under the 21st Century Multi-purpose Centre Project
• $2.5 million to the Timboon P-12 School for the 21st Century Library and Learning Neighborhood Project;
• $2.2 million to the Teesdale Primary School under the Secure the Future of Small Rural Schools Project;
• $2 million to the Cobden Primary School for the 21st Century Library and Learning Neighbourhood Project;
• $2 million to the Allansford and District Primary School for the 21st Century Library and Learning Neighborhood Project;
• $2 million for the Merrivale Primary School under the 21st Century Multi-purpose Centre Project
• $1.85 million to the Rokewood Primary School under the Secure the Future of Small Rural Schools Project;
• $1.25 million to the Grasmere Primary School under the Secure the Future of Small Rural Schools Project;
• $867,000 for the Macarthur Primary School under the Better Schools today program
• $850,000 to the Simpson Primary School for the Rural Replacement Project.
Ms Tierney said the Polwarth and South West regions also received a major boost in a range of crucial areas, including:
• $26.2 million for Stage 1c of the Warrnambool Hospital reconstruction involving the construction of an Integrated Care Centre, which has been designed to relieve demand at Warrnambool Hospital and consolidate the management of services such as Allied Health, Community Health, Dental and cardiac rehabilitation.
• Part of a $10 million state-wide program for to the Portland and District Hospital and St John of God Hospital for Private Breastscreen services which will receive IT upgrades to allow services to send images for analysis.
• Part of a $38.7 million state-wide progam for the South West Institute of TAFE ICT upgrade
• $1.5 million for a new Mortlake police station
• Part of a $21.1 million state-wide program to replace CFA appliances over the next year in the region including:
– a Heavy Tanker for the Camperdown CFA, Koroit CFA, Timboon CFA, Spring Creek CFA and Winslow Yarputuk CFA
– a Light Pumper for the Anglesea CFA, Port Fairy CFA and Winchelsea CFA
• Part of a $10.2 million state-wide program for:
– a new inflatable rescue boat for Colac VICSES
– a Heavy Rescue Hino for Warrnambool VICSES
– a Heavy Rescue Hino for Heywood VICSES
• $800,000 for the Surf Coast Walk Rail Trail
• $330,000 for the installation of a lift and provision of digital telephone system at the Warrnambool Police Station
• $174,000 for upgrades at the Portland Police Station including a revamp of the meeting rooms, replacement of heating systems and a replacement generator
• $35,000 for the upgrade of security/CCTV systems at the Camperdown Police Station under the Brumby Governments Police Station Priority Upgrade Maintenance program.
• $25,000 to upgrade the security system at the Port Fairy Police Station
Ms Tierney said other highlights of the 2009 State Budget included:
• Investing almost $1 billion to help Victoria respond and recover from the worst bushfires in Australian history;
• Investing a record $1.71 billion in the state’s education system to prepare Victorians for the jobs of the future;
• Investing more than $3 billion to deliver the first four years of the $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan to create a world-class transport system for Victorians;
• Investing $2.6 billion to boost Victoria’s hospital and health services; and
• Investing a record $1.9 billion to provide Victoria Police with the resources they need to keep Victorian families safe.
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to deliver jobs now and support Victorian families,” she said.
“With the 2009 State Budget we are also building on a decade of investment in social services, providing a strong safety net for our community and for all Victorians.”
