Making progress

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EDUCATION MEETING

The Shepparton Education Plan Community Advisory Group has met for the first time this week.

This group has the task of devising an Education Plan starting with the four secondary schools in Shepparton and Mooroopna.

A $1mill funding announcement was made as a pre-budget commitment in the 2017/18 Victorian State Budget by the Minister for Education to enable the planning phase to proceed this year. This is an exciting step in improving education outcomes for our children.

We cannot sit back and hope for better – now is our chance for real change and when the community consultation commences in the very near future I ask you to contribute to this important task by sharing your own knowledge and experience.

TATURA COMMUNITY MEETING

I attended the Tatura Community Planning Meeting last week.

It’s exciting to hear the great plans residents have for their town, including a 10km walking circuit, and an extension to the beautiful Mactier Park.

Community will is a great driver to achieve funding for such projects, and it’s wonderful to see residents showing such passion for the beautification of their town.

WHAT’S NEXT  

It’s been almost a month since the great State Budget announcement for Shepparton District, but where do we go from here?

The commitments that we have seen from this government get several major projects started – the redevelopment of GV Hospital, the GV Highway bypass, work towards a Shepparton Education Plan, and as a result, better youth opportunities and outcomes, and of course commencing work to improve rail services.

But it’s only the beginning.

Together we must keep up the advocacy and the passion in these areas to ensure these projects are funded through the following stages by consecutive governments.

Shepparton District – there is time to celebrate, but not to rest.

Sheed Calls for Acceleration of Rail Funding

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Independent member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed has called on the Andrews Labor Government to accelerate the investment in passenger rail services announced for the rail line between Shepparton and Seymour in last week’s Victorian State Budget.

Ms Sheed used her Question without Notice this week to ask the Minister for Public Transport The Hon. Jacinta Allan MP to bring forward the capital works to be undertaken in the first tranche of funding, into the current budget year.

“I am delighted, as is the Shepparton District community, that the government has announced a future investment of $43.5 million in passenger rail services for Shepparton. As you well know I have advocated long and hard for better passenger rail services with the full support of my community and the All Aboard Campaign,” Ms Sheed said.

“Minister we have waited so long for investment in our rail services. We don’t want to wait any longer,” Ms Sheed said when questioning the Minister.

“My question for you today is whether you can bring forward the capital works that are so urgently needed into the current budget year,” Ms Sheed asked.

On 28 May 2015 a large group of Shepparton District residents travelled to Melbourne, many in their pyjamas, to the steps of Parliament House to impress upon the government the lack of services available to them and the need for more, better and faster services. The campaign for better rail services for Shepparton has been widely supported by the community and was one of the major platforms of Ms Sheed’s election campaign in 2014.

“Receiving a funding commitment of $43.5 million in the Victorian State budget was a fantastic result for Shepparton and means that some of the early works that have been identified for a long time can commence such as stabling for trains at Shepparton and a passing loop near or south of Murchison,” Ms Sheed said.

The Minister’s response was to indicate that she would immediately refer this request to her Department for consideration.

 

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Media contact

P: 0358 316944 │E:suzanna.sheed@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

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Education the winner in 2017/18 budget

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Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed says she is very happy for some of our schools, after the electorate’s education needs have been firmly placed on the map in the State Budget, announced this week.

"I have spoken in Parliament on several occasions now, about the significant divide between rural students and their metropolitan peers.  It matters where you go to school, but it’s time that gap was closed," Ms Sheed said

Standing on a campaign of better education opportunities for Shepparton District children, Ms Sheed said she’s pleased the Andrews Labor Government has heard her concerns.

On the back of its Pre-budget announcement last week of $1mill for a 10 year Shepparton Education Plan, the Government has allocated more than $4.5mill for capital works and upgrades to the electorate’s primary schools.

This includes:

$     90,000 Ardmona Primary School

$1,407,000 Bourchier St Primary School

$   955,000 Kialla West Primary School

$   231,000 Mooroopna Park Primary School

$1,768,000 Orrvale Primary School

$     70,000 Wunghnu Primary School

"It’s wonderful to see this commitment to our schools – both primary and secondary – after years of neglect and progressive decline," Ms Sheed said.

The Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project has also been fully funded.

"This is a wonderful program, doing great work in the space of early intervention.

"It already has more than 300 volunteers getting into our schools as mentors, and working with young children,

"I’m so pleased the Government has funded this program – $3mill over three years," Ms Sheed said.

"We must ensure our children are getting opportunities locally, and through early intervention, funding our schools and planning for the future, we are well on the way to ensuring the best possible outcomes for them."

 

Ends

Media contact

Phone: 0358 316 944   Email: suzanna.sheed@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

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Bypass gets the nod

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Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed says she’s happy to see the Goulburn Valley Highway bypass get the nod for planning work from the Andrews Labor Government.

It’s after many years of campaigning by the Shepparton District community.

"The government has this week allocated $10.2mill in the State Budget to the planning and early works of the bypass," Ms Sheed said.

"This has been a long time coming, and will allow for much needed preliminary planning and development. The Shepparton Bypass Stage 1 will not only divert heavy vehicles around the CBD, but involves the construction of a second river crossing.

"I am hopeful this commitment by the State Government this week will encourage our Federal colleagues to do the same, to ensure this much needed project can move forward.

It is part of the duplication of the Goulburn Valley Highway through to the New South Wales border and will eventually require funding for that duplication to continue from Shepparton through Numurkah up to Tocumwal," Ms Sheed said.

 

Ends

 

Media contact

Phone: 0358 316 944    Email: suzanna.sheed@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

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Independent colors shine through

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 Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed says the value of her position in Parliament has never been more clear than at this point in her term.

"I haven’t stopped smiling since the budget was handed down this week," Ms Sheed said.

Ms Sheed based her 2014 election campaign on four key items: health, rail, education and youth unemployment, and after this week’s budget, she says she can say her campaign has been successful.

"I was still reeling from the surprise of receiving $170mill for the redevelopment of Goulburn Valley Health last year.  As much as I was campaigning and pushing for funding in the Shepparton District this year, I am surprised at this great result," she said.

The 2017/18 budget includes more than $72mill for various projects, including $43.5mill to commence essential works between Shepparton and Seymour, $4.5mill for significant upgrades in our primary schools across the electorate and $1mill for planning a 10 year Shepparton Education Plan.

"Some may say voting in an Independent to the seat of Shepparton District was an ‘experiment’.

"Well, it’s an ‘experiment’ which has proven itself entirely worthwhile. After years of neglect by successive governments, we can truly say this electorate is on the map. We have the attention of government. We are finally seeing necessary investment in our community, which we certainly deserve.

"Budget day in previous years was a time where we would look at our neighbors and sigh, bemoaning the fact that we were not a marginal seat.

"Congratulations Shepparton District. We have done it, and we’ve done it together," Ms Sheed said.

Ends

Media contact

Phone: 0358 316 944  Email: suzanna.sheed@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

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Police Minister To Visit

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Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed is pleased that the Minister for Police, The Hon. Lisa Neville has agreed to visit the electorate, accepting her invitation following concerns raised with her regarding police numbers and visibility in the District.

“I have heard from a number of my constituents who remain anxious about what appears to be a lack of police resources on the ground in the electorate, despite several public meetings with leading police members,” Ms Sheed said.

Minister Neville will be able to hear these concerns first hand.

“Residents of Tatura and Mooroopna are frequently faced with closed doors at the local police stations, and say they rarely see a police officer or a police vehicle patrolling the area,” Ms Sheed said.

“In the meantime, our crime rates continue to climb.

“The latest statistics show an overall increase of 9.4 per cent of reported crime since 2015 in the Greater Shepparton area.

Drug offences have risen 9.7 per cent,” she said.

“I have heard from reputable sources that staffing at some of our stations is inadequate.

“I’ve had constructive discussions with the Victorian Police Association and continue dialog to convey my community’s concerns and the possible solutions.

“Police safety is, of course, of utmost importance, however the two up rule has decimated resources at our regional stations.

If this rule is to persist, there must be adequate resourcing at our regional stations to compensate for the policy,” Ms Sheed said.

“While our police members have a right to feel safe, so too, do we have a right to feel safe in our homes, and in our street and a visible police presence strongly contributes to this.

I look forward to welcoming Minister Neville to the Shepparton District in early June to further our discussions and consider solutions to address our concerns.

We must be able to have confidence in knowing when we pick up the phone, or go to the station, a police officer will be there when we need them most.”

Ends

Media contact

Phone: 0358 316 944     Email: suzanna.sheed@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

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2017/18 State Budget Announcements

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Well it has been a bit of a rollercoaster over the last few days with a rail announcement that seemed to leave Shepparton high and dry and then we discover in the Victorian State Budget on Tuesday that we have a commitment of $43.5 million. These funds are coming straight from the State, and, unlike the other regional rail announcements, will not be dependent on the federal government paying the money it owes to the state through the asset recycling scheme. The funding for Shepparton is therefore secure and will mean the government can commence works without the uncertainty about federal money being paid before works can start.

From my point of view this was a dream budget with funding for:

  • More than $4.5mill for six primary schools across the electorate including our smaller schools at Wunghnu and Ardmona;
  • $1mill Shepparton Education Plan (announced last week) to commence planning for next year’s budget, firstly, for our four state secondary colleges in Shepparton and Mooroopna, but eventually rolling out to primary schools and early childhood services;
  • $3mill across three years for the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project;
  • $200,000 Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence being funding to prepare a business case for what could be a remarkable project;
  • Free public Wi-Fi in Shepparton
  • a Specialist Family Violence Court in Shepparton;
  • The design of pilot projects based on the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District Masterplan that maximize the irrigation and other groundwater within the district; and
  • More generally our regional businesses will benefit by the 25% reduction in the payroll tax and increased threshold across regional Victoria.

It is an amazing outcome that, in addition to the $168.5 million for the Goulburn Valley Health redevelopment last year, we have this year received so much more. Shepparton District is truly on the map and I believe that being a marginal seat with an independent is making the difference that all of those who had the courage to vote for me hoped it would. I am very proud to represent this community.

 

Improved train services on track

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Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed says she’s excited to see what she has labelled a "true commitment" to Shepparton’s rail network by the Andrews Labor Government.

This week, it allocated $43.5mill to improve connectivity between Seymour and Shepparton.

This includes funding for a passing loop at Murchison and stabling at the Shepparton Station.

 "This has been a true community campaign through the All Aboard committee – the Shepparton District community ensured our voice was too loud for the government to ignore," Ms Sheed said.

"We will have additional coach services to connect to Seymour and build patronage while this work is completed. I believe it will all be worth it in the end, as the passing loop and stabling will enable us to finally have more train services between Shepparton and Melbourne.

"This was a major part of my campaign and I am so pleased to be able to deliver what is this first major tranche a very large project.

“We are starting from a very low base and I feel very pleased we are now moving forward in a significant way.

"The Shepparton District deserves more, better and faster train services, and with this budget delivery, we are well on the way," Ms Sheed said.

 

Ends

Media contact

Phone: 0358 316 944   Email: suzanna.sheed@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

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Sheed "elated" with 2017/18 budget announcement

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Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed is elated with the Victorian State Government’s 2017/18 Budget allocation for the electorate.

“What a great day for the Shepparton District," she said.

"Off the back of last year’s State Budget and the $170 million commitment made by the Andrews Labor Government for the redevelopment of Goulburn Valley Health, it was a big ask to back it up with further significant investment in our ageing and inadequate public infrastructure in this year’s budget," Ms Sheed said.

The budget includes:

More than $4.5mill for six primary schools;

$1mill Shepparton Education Plan (announced last week)

$3mill across three years for the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project;

$200,000 Munnara Centre for Regional Excellence

The announcement also included a Specialist Family Violence Court in Shepparton;

The design of pilot projects based on the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District Masterplan that maximise the irrigation and other groundwater within the district; and

Free public Wi-Fi in Shepparton.

More generally our regional businesses will benefit by the 25% reduction in the payroll tax threshold across regional Victoria.

A much needed project which is now finally off the ground will be the Shepparton bypass.

"I’m pleased this Government has backed the bypass with $10.2mill allocated for stage one.

"This has been a long term project for this community, and it will be satisfying to so many to finally see some movement in this space," Ms Sheed said.

But the stand out is a major commitment to see an upgrade to Shepparton’s public transport needs with $43.5 mill slated for stabling at the Shepparton Train station and a passing loop at Murchison.

"This will enable more services to operate on the Shepparton line – a major issue of my election campaign in 2014 which I am so pleased has been heard by the Government, thanks to the great support of a vocal community," Ms Sheed said.  

 

Ends

Media contact

Phone: 0358 316 944     Email: suzanna.sheed@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

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Education Minister Agrees to Visit

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Education Update

I am pleased Education Minister James Merlino has agreed to visit Shepparton next month.

It is important we move with enthusiasm to change the education outcomes for our children. Three of our secondary colleges have had significant falls in enrolments in recent years.  There are many factors which are affecting this and it is a well-known fact that students in regional areas, of indigenous background, and from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds can have poorer educational outcomes.

This issue goes beyond funding for school facilities and we need government support and intervention to help us make the changes we need.

MDBP Latest

I’m pleased the Ministerial Council has agreed there must be a full socio economic study completed on the Murray Darling Basin Plan, which includes a thorough investigation on the impact of the removal of a further 450GL from the southern Basin.

The GMID Water Leadership Forum, which I chair, has made many representations, particularly to Victorian Water Minister Lisa Neville, to ensure the Murray Darling Basin Authority would be reviewing the very important issue of the up water.

The independent analysis will report in December, although I call on the Water Minister to bring this date forward given that much of the socio-economic research has already been done in Victoria.

Immunisation Registration Concern

It has been brought to my attention there is a problem with recording vaccinations in circumstances, where parents present with their child prior to the child reaching exactly six weeks of age.

Apparently the computer system will not register any child under that age, and accordingly parents are either vaccinating at that stage without the benefit of registration, or being sent away to return at a later time.

I have asked the Minister for Health Jill Hennessy to fix this problem in the immunisation registration system.

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5 Vaughan Street, Shepparton
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Get in touch with Suzanna

Share this page and show your support.

5 Vaughan Street, Shepparton
T 03 5831 6944   F 03 5831 6836
E suzanna.sheed@parliament.vic.gov.au

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