General News
9 May, 2024
Budget does not impact hospital redevelopment, government says
The Victorian Government handed down its 2024/25 state budget this week and its impact on the Central Goldfields Shire is clear — we’ve won some, and lost some. A product of “sensible, disciplined decisions”, according to Treasurer Tim...
The Victorian Government handed down its 2024/25 state budget this week and its impact on the Central Goldfields Shire is clear — we’ve won some, and lost some.
A product of “sensible, disciplined decisions”, according to Treasurer Tim Pallas, the “realistic” budget’s rollout comes in the midst of an ongoing cost of living crisis and high inflation.
Locally, the community stands to benefit from focused and statewide investments, but could also suffer setbacks from a number of missed opportunities.
Here’s what the shire gained:
A one-off $400 School Saving Bonus for families with children at government schools and eligible concession card holders at non-government schools.
Additional funding for the Glasses for Kids program, which provides free screenings and glasses for students who need them.
An investment of $6 million to extend the Get Active Kids vouchers — giving up to $200 to help eligible families with the cost of sporting club registration, uniforms, and equipment.
Funding for early intervention programs, run in Maryborough by Anglicare, to keep families together, and provide assistance for carers.
$1.5 million for safety improvements on the Ballarat-Maryborough Road near the London Bridge in Talbot.
Ongoing funding for ARC Justice to embed a lawyer at Maryborough Hospital and an allied health worker at Maryborough Magistrates Court to provide wrap around support for vulnerable community members.
But the shire has also been dealt some losses:
The sick pay guarantee introduced during the pandemic will come to an end, meaning casual and contract workers will no longer receive relevant leave entitlements.
Victoria’s state waste levy will be increased from July next year, with rural landfills likely to face a proportional increase.
The fire services property levy will also go up to support Victoria’s firefighting services.
Essential services and initiatives operating in the shire, will not be funded under this budget — thereby, risking their future.
“On the negative side, Go Goldfields is still not funded beyond this year which will put this program at risk including the Nest,” Central Goldfields Shire Council CEO Lucy Roffey said.
“Library funding contribution from State Government [will not be matched to the rate of inflation] which clearly will impact on services that can be delivered by our library.
“Residents receive benefits from the fire services levy which supports the CFA, however, the waste levy collected by State Government is not spent locally in the same proportion that it is collected, meaning rural communities subsidise projects elsewhere in the state.
“We have [also] been advocating for more weekday rail services to Ballarat — there were increases only announced for Warrnambool and Echuca lines.”
The budget further notes that the State Government’s Best Start, Best Life early childhood education reform will be pushed, but it is believed the shire will not be impacted.
“Pre-Prep and extra childcare is still on track to be delivered in Maryborough in 2027,” Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said.
“It’s all part of giving our littlest Victorians the very best start in life, and making early learning services more affordable for local families.”
While multiple infrastructure projects across Victoria have been pushed back due to the budget, the government has confirmed to The Advertiser that the Maryborough Hospital redevelopment will not be affected.
Although the estimated completion date for the $115 million project has been revised to quarter 4 2025-26, it is understood that this will not delay the opening of the facility later this year.
The amended dates in the budget, according to the government, cover works to be undertaken in the second stage of the project including landscaping and required demolitions.
“We’re getting on with delivering the hospital redevelopment Maryborough deserves,” Ms Haylett said.
“Construction is well underway and I can’t wait to see it all complete for the benefit of local families.”
Applauding the budget as an investment in the people of Ripon, Ms Haylett said there were certain initiatives she was hoping to see backed.
“I advocated for other funds in the budget, including money to upgrade Deledio Reserve in Dunolly and deliver a splash park for Maryborough,” she said.
“We unfortunately didn’t get funds for these projects this time, but I will keep working with locals to get these projects done in the future.”