Suzanna Sheed
  • Home
  • About
    • About Suzanna
    • Shepparton District
    • How Suzanna can help
  • Priorities
    • Agriculture
    • Education
    • Health
    • Infrastructure
    • Our Achievements
  • News
    • Media Releases
    • Blog
    • Parliament
    • Photos
  • Resources
    • Newsletters
    • Out & About with Suzanna
    • COVID-19
  • Contact
    • Request a
      Congratulatory
      Message
    • Subscribe to our
      newsletter
  • Menu Menu

Sheed calls on the state government to save the summer holidays for hundreds of families

December 18, 2020/0 Comments/in Media Releases /by Suzanna Sheed

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has called on the state government to ensure that hundreds of families can enjoy their summer holidays.

“A lot of money has been spent recently upgrading facilities at Greens Lake but water levels are becoming too low for many recreational purposes,” Ms Sheed said.

Greens Lake is an off-stream water storage lake about 7.5 kilometres north east of the Corop township.

“The low water level situation, combined with a decision by Goulburn Murray Water to stop pumping water into the lake, has the potential to prevent hundreds of families from enjoying their summer holidays by the lake,” Ms Sheed said.

“The government needs to help ensure that water is delivered into the late for the summer season so families can finally have a break after this very stressful year.”

“The lake has been a popular local attraction where families can enjoy affordable holidays by parking their caravans or camping for free.

“Unfortunately, families are now in danger of losing that destination due to a recent decision by Goulburn Murray Water to decommission pumps that deliver water into the lake from the Waranga Channel.”

“The volume of water in the lake at the moment is becoming unsustainable for most recreational purposes,” Ms Sheed said.

Ms Sheed has written to the Minister for Water, the Hon Lisa Neville MP, calling on the government to take action.

“The lake has a capacity of some 32,500 megalitres and according to Goulburn Murray Water it is only at 29 per cent capacity at the moment.”

“The lake has always been a popular place for free camping and has a picnic area, tables, plenty of shade, rubbish bins, a boat ramp and toilet facilities.”

“The recreation facilities have recently been upgraded by Goulburn Murray Water.”

Ms Sheed said she has been advised that Greens Lake is no longer needed by Goulburn Murray Water for water storage purposes and that the pumps connecting the lake to the Waranga Channel are to be decommissioned.

“The only water that may ultimately be in Greens Lake is what falls into it.”

“With a long hot summer ahead of us, it is imperative for recreation – and possible firefighting purposes – that more water be put into the lake while there is still time to do so.”

“Post-COVID, many families are in dire need of an enjoyable break that is also affordable and Greens Lake provides them with a perfect location that has significant natural beauty.”

“It doesn’t make any sense to build a range of new recreational facilities at Greens Lake and then fail to ensure there is enough water in the lake for holidaymakers to enjoy.”

“The decision to stop keeping the lake at a functional level for recreational and environmental purposes was made without sufficient consultation, with many recreational and other users feeling that their views were not taken into account.”

“I call on Goulburn Murray Water and the Water Minister to reverse this decision so that families can enjoy the summer they deserve.”

ENDS

Media contact

Jacqui Hawkins 0403 657 267│jacqui.hawkins@parliament.vic.gov.au

Click here for PDF version

https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Suzanna-Seated-blue-shirt-main-image.jpg 630 1200 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2020-12-18 12:30:402020-12-18 12:32:13Sheed calls on the state government to save the summer holidays for hundreds of families

Summer Newsletter 2020/21

December 15, 2020/0 Comments/in Newsletters /by Suzanna Sheed
https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/christmas.png 538 942 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2020-12-15 14:51:012020-12-18 10:45:52Summer Newsletter 2020/21

Urgent action needed to save Victoria’s fruit and vegetable harvest

December 11, 2020/0 Comments/in Latest News, Media Releases /by Suzanna Sheed

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has called on the state and federal governments to act urgently or Victoria’s fruit and vegetable produce will rot on the trees and in the fields.

“With just a matter of weeks to go before fruit and vegetable harvesting is due to start, there are massive problems getting the workers that are needed to pick the crops in the Goulburn Valley as well as other regions across Victoria and the country,” Ms Sheed said.

“The shortage of seasonal workers across Victoria is extremely worrying for growers in my area, many of whom have bumper crops and have been facing years of drought, fluctuating overseas markets and high water prices.

“Much has been said and done to incentivise local workers to become fruit pickers, but as February and March – the peak picking period for pears and apples in my region – nears it is critical that a solution is found.”

“The Pacific Islander seasonal workers program is extremely important, particularly in the absence of our usual backpacker cohort.”

Ms Sheed said the state and federal governments should urgently remedy the situation.

There is a strong economic imperative to bring Pacific Islander workers to assist with the harvest just as there are strong economic reasons for ensuring that overseas tennis players are in Australia for the Australian Open at much the same time.

“The federal government should send the federal Chief Health Officer to the Pacific Island nations that have been declared COVID-free to ascertain their status.”

“If those nations prove their COVID-free status, then include them in an Australia travel bubble so seasonal workers can travel to Victoria without the need to quarantine.”

“Otherwise the federal and state governments need to urgently work on a mass quarantine scheme to ensure that the state’s fruit and vegetables can be harvested in a COVID-safe way.”

“Agriculture Victoria said there are 20,000 short-term jobs paddocks and packing sheds on farms in the Sunraysia, the Goulburn Valley, the Yarra Valley and Gippsland,” Ms Sheed said.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that in order to harvest our fruit and vegetable crops in the Goulburn Valley producers will need access to Pacific Islander workers under the federal government’s Pacific Islander seasonal workers program.”

ENDS

Media contact

Jacqui Hawkins 0403 657 267│jacqui.hawkins@parliament.vic.gov.au

https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/115793909_2685287038413554_5370491172543310476_o.jpg 1080 1080 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2020-12-11 13:14:582020-12-11 13:14:58Urgent action needed to save Victoria’s fruit and vegetable harvest

Seasonal Workers

December 9, 2020/0 Comments/in Parliament /by Suzanna Sheed

Question without notice – My question is for the Premier. It is becoming clear that in order to harvest our fruit and vegetable crops in the Goulburn Valley producers will need access to Pacific Islander workers under the federal government’s Pacific Islander seasonal workers program.

My question for the Premier is: what is your government doing to facilitate the necessary quarantining for these workers so that they will be able to travel to the Goulburn Valley to pick our fruit?

The shortage of seasonal workers across Victoria is extremely worrying for so many of the growers in my area, many of whom have bumper crops and have been facing years of drought, fluctuating overseas markets and high water prices. Much has been said and done to incentivise local workers to become fruit pickers, but as February and March draw near, the peak picking period for pears and apples in my region is nearing and it is getting critical. To this end, the Pacific Islander seasonal workers program is really extremely important, particularly in the absence of our usual backpacker cohort.

Mr ANDREWS (Premier): I thank the member for Shepparton for her question and for her advocacy on this and all issues that are important to the Goulburn Valley. She is well known and well understood to be a passionate advocate on behalf of her community. The program that the member for Shepparton refers to is of course the federal government granting permission for the entry of certain people from very low or no virus communities in the Pacific. That is largely where the program ends. Being able to provide safe quarantine would fall it would seem to the states, despite the fact that quarantining is in effect a principal responsibility of the federal government. But again, that is not the quarrel that any of us need to be getting into. It is about the practicalities of this. It is about the practicalities of very large numbers of people coming to regional Victoria to complete a very important task, both for the income of growers but also for consumers having an availability of fresh, high-quality produce at an efficient price.

What I can say to the member for Shepparton is that we are working as hard as we possibly can to deal with these issues. They are not simple. They are not easy in any way. Giving effect to the decisions that the commonwealth government in a very broad context has facilitated, if you like, rather than made, is not a simple thing. And yes, there are costs involved if we do not get this right, and one of those costs is potentially many, many coronavirus infections, particularly in communities where there have been, not just for 40 days, no infections, but in some communities months and months without any infections. The balance point is the key point here.

I appreciate the advocacy on behalf of the growers and all of that supply chain that is critically important in the Goulburn Valley. I would say that we, all of us, have got to redouble our efforts to get more and more Victorians to do this work right now and into February, March, April and right out to May. That is our priority at this stage. We will have more to say about quarantining arrangements potentially and some overseas arrivals, but that is incredibly complicated. It is not a matter of expense and it is not a matter of cost; it is a matter of what can be done at scale to the highest standard. As my honourable friend the minister for COVID19 Quarantine Victoria would I am sure have said if she had been asked this question, there are limitations. We do not have an unlimited supply of workers and others, hotels even, to provide that highest standard, best-in-class standard, hotel quarantine. That is what the Victorian community expects.

That is what the government will fundamentally deliver and, despite the laughter of those opposite who could not prove any more clearly their irrelevance to every matter of importance in this state, we will not, unlike them, compromise the safety of this community.

Mr R Smith: On a point of order, Speaker—it seems one of us is missing the other one a little bit too much. But it is okay; I am back. I never really went away.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Andrews interjected.

Mr R Smith: On a point of order, Speaker, under Rulings from The Chair—he is still going. I am actually tired of the bullying that we are getting from the Premier. Under Rulings from the Chair I ask you to—

Ms Neville interjected.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Police and Emergency Services!

Mr R Smith: Sit down, you sook? Is that what you just said? Sit down, you sook? Is that okay? Is that what we have to put up with here in this chamber? Well, you might have a higher office than me, but you have got no more right to be in this place that I have.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr R Smith: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is not permitted during this period of parliamentary procedure to attack the opposition. I ask you to bring him back to answering the question, and he can refrain from the bullying barbs that he likes to throw across the table.

The SPEAKER: Order! I ask members not to interject across the chamber, and I ask the Premier to come back to answering the question.

Mr ANDREWS: As I was saying, these are not simple matters—simple as some may suggest from the opposition—they are complex. We are working through them and will report progress at the appropriate time.

Ms SHEED (Shepparton): Look, I thank you for that response, although time is critical on these, and just this week we had the Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Quarantine Fees) Bill 2020 before the house. I think that the issue of quarantining of workers under this scheme is being talked to me about at some length and the cost of what that quarantine might be, so I am just wondering, Premier: what steps and what sort of framework you might anticipate will be in place in relation to the cost of quarantine for workers as opposed to residents currently returning under the current scheme?

Mr ANDREWS (Premier): I thank the member for Shepparton for her supplementary question. I think this is at the heart of the issue. This is an industry where workers are not highly paid. This is an industry where I think it simply cannot be avoided pointing out the fact that we have seen many, many examples of not the highest standards of practice when it comes to health and safety, industrial relations, the protection of workers and the proper pay for a proper day’s work.

That is not necessarily synonymous with some elements of this industry. The notion then that we put a further disincentive—hard work, not well paid often, with not always the highest of standards—does present us with a challenge. If we say to people that they are going to have to pay $3000 to $5000 for the privilege of coming here to work such a job, I fully agree with the member for Shepparton that that will be a real challenge and a real blocker. That is why we have got to work hard, all of us, to get a solution to this. Can I offer to the member for Shepparton: I will facilitate a meeting with the Leader of the Government in the other place, the agriculture minister, to talk through in detail all of our work and what we hope to achieve in partnership with the member for Shepparton

https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/default-post-image.png 240 330 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2020-12-09 18:27:012020-12-10 10:40:34Seasonal Workers

Creative Industries Minister invited to open Shepparton Festival

December 9, 2020/0 Comments/in Latest News, Media Releases /by Suzanna Sheed

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has invited the Minister for Creative Industries, Mr Danny Pearson, to launch the 25th annual Shepparton Festival.

Ms Sheed said:

“I’ve invited the new Minister for Creative Industries to the Shepparton Festival so that he can see first hand how inventive, creative and innovative arts practitioners outside of Melbourne can be.”

“Melbourne is the acknowledged cultural capital of Australia but the arts practitioners of Shepparton have many delightful surprises for visitors during the festival.”

“There will be plenty to see and do and it would be wonderful if Minister Pearson could not only join us, but launch and open the Shepparton Festival.”

The festival, titled ‘Unify’, will be held across the Goulburn Valley from 11 to 27 June next year and “will take full advantage of the darkness of night,” Ms Sheed said.

With the tagline “Unique events in unusual places” it has already begun to intrigue Shepparton locals.

Shepparton Festival general manager Louise Tremper said the festival committee is looking forward to delivering a safe and exciting festival in 2021.

Ms Tremper said: “The festival aims to reignite the creativity that our region is so well known for and to give a boost to our visitor economy.”

The festival director, Jamie Lea, says the festival will reach new heights and go beyond expectations to deliver an outstanding experience.

Ms Lea said: “Unify is a call to action on so many levels and the perfect theme for a postlockdown festival. We are all hungry for a festival, but before we know it, June will be here.”

Being a winter festival, it will take advantage of the darkness of night and the magic of projection.
The festival will have special input from Bill Kelly, the Buffalo, New York born and Nathalia based world renowned artist, who will bring his creative and artistic skills to bear.

In inviting Mr Pearson to launch the festival, Ms Sheed said:

“Each year we have been delighted by the venues used and the extraordinary performances that have been brought to our city, and next year will be no exception.
“The recent cash injection from the state government of $49,000 will be a great boost to the festival, taking it to the next level of professional development.
“I extend an invitation to our new Minister for Creative Industries to launch the Shepparton Festival and to formally open it.”

ENDS

Media contact
Jacqui Hawkins 0403 657 267│jacqui.hawkins@parliament.vic.gov.au

Click here for PDF version

https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Shepparton-Festival.-png-rotated.jpg 1080 1920 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2020-12-09 15:56:592020-12-11 13:17:54Creative Industries Minister invited to open Shepparton Festival

Victorian State Government procurement process – Regional Victorian Businesses

December 8, 2020/0 Comments/in Parliament /by Suzanna Sheed

Constituency Question –  My constituency question is to the Minister for Government Services. Minister, what is the government doing to support regional Victorian businesses to manufacture and grow jobs locally through the government’s procurement system? It is good to see that the government has created this new portfolio. As the independent member for Shepparton, a number of regional businesses have made representations to me about their inability to get government preferred supplier list access. One example is SPC. They supply fruit and vegetables to a number of Victorian public hospitals, and while they have had some success in this, they still have to struggle to get entry in a number of ways. Ensuring regional suppliers and businesses have preferred supplier status for government goods and services is one way to support regional businesses who have been hit hard this year by the coronavirus.

https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/default-post-image.png 240 330 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2020-12-08 16:46:362020-12-08 16:47:52Victorian State Government procurement process – Regional Victorian Businesses

Critical action needed on heart health and obesity

December 1, 2020/0 Comments/in Latest News, Media Releases /by Suzanna Sheed

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has written to the Minister for Health seeking an urgent briefing following the release of Heart Foundation data that shows that the Shepparton region is Victoria’s worst for heart health and obesity.

Ms Sheed said:

“I have written to the Minister for Health urgently requesting a full briefing. I have also sought a coordinated public health response to this alarming information on the health outcomes in the Shepparton region.”

“The Heart Foundation’s work is just the latest to show the health divide between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, where health is determined by where you live and what services you have access to.”

“It is disgraceful in this day and age that where you live should determine your health outcomes,” Ms Sheed said. “Something needs to be done.”

The Heart Foundation report said the rate of hospitalisations for heart attack (17.4 per 10,000 people) and coronary heart disease (55.9 per 10,000 people) in the Shepparton region is around 70 per cent higher than the state’s lowest region – Melbourne’s inner east.

This puts the region’s figures – which cover Greater Shepparton, Moira and Campaspe shires – close to 30 per cent higher than the state’s average for both hospitalisation rates, the Heart Foundation said.

The Shepparton region also ranks as the state’s top hotspot for obesity rates (39.8 per cent) and high blood pressure (23.7 per cent). These are two leading risk factors for heart disease, which is  Victoria’s single leading cause of death, the Heart Foundation said.

The Heart Foundation findings are similar to those of work conducted previously, such as a longitudinal study of health in the Goulburn Valley conducted by Dr David Simmons and the Department of Rural Health at Melbourne University, Shepparton.

Ms Sheed said:

“The situation is critical. People’s health and lives are at risk and the right action needs to begin happening now.

“The Shepparton community has proved beyond doubt that we can get things done when we have the support that is needed. We need the state government to step up with the resources that Shepparton and all of rural and regional Victoria needs to combat heart disease and obesity.”

ENDS

Media contact

Jacqui Hawkins 0403 657 267│jacqui.hawkins@parliament.vic.gov.au

Click here for PDF version

https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/heart-665186_1280.jpg 768 1280 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2020-12-01 16:34:072020-12-01 16:34:07Critical action needed on heart health and obesity

Abject Failure of Leadership at Minco

November 27, 2020/0 Comments/in Latest News, Media Releases /by Suzanna Sheed

The GMID Water Leadership Forum described the outcome of Friday’s meeting of the Ministerial Council of Water Ministers as an abject failure of leadership.

“In a rare moment of bi-partisanship, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia had agreed to jointly address some matters of great significance. They came to the meeting with the genuine intention of working together on some of the well-known problems relating to the implementation of the Basin plan,” co-chair David McKenzie said.

“Key issues for final implementation of the plan include the completion of the sustainable diversion limit projects by 2024, the concerns over future deliverability for environmental and consumptive water, and the overall unrealistic timeframes for many aspects of the plan. But incredibly, the bi-partisan approach was effectively ignored by the Federal Water Minister Keith Pitt.

“He failed to capitalise on the goodwill in the room, and effectively directed the States to adopt his approach – to wilfully ignore some worrying realities that confront the final stages of the Plan. If the Federal Water Minister is not going to show leadership on these issues of national importance, then communities have to ask; “what is his role and purpose?” Mr McKenzie said.

Co-chair of GMID Water Leadership Forum, Suzanna Sheed expressed her extreme disappointment in the approach adopted by the federal government at the meeting.

“The Federal Minister says the time for reports is over. In my opinion it is time he started acting on the recommendations of the many reports that have been produced and try to achieve a result that is fair and equitable to all stakeholders,” she said.

“He has ignored the recommendations of the Productivity Commission and the Sefton reports. These are the very reports commissioned by his own government. We were dismayed by with the Federal government’s response to the Sefton report and can now see a complete lack of willingness on the government’s behalf to properly address the issues at hand and to make some hard decisions. The Minister holds the threat of buybacks in his back pocket, threats we heard from Minister Littleproud just over a year ago,” she said.

“This failure of leadership leaves our southern basin communities anxious and without certainty. It continues the negative impacts we have had to live with so long and shows an extraordinary lack of willingness to grasp the nettle and make some decisions that are clearly warranted at this time,” Ms Sheed said

ENDS

Media contact
Jacqui Hawkins 0403 657 267│jacqui.hawkins@parliament.vic.gov.au

Click here for PDF version

https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Barmah-Choke.-pic.jpg 960 1280 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2020-11-27 16:47:402020-11-27 16:48:44Abject Failure of Leadership at Minco

Shepparton Festival

November 26, 2020/0 Comments/in Parliament /by Suzanna Sheed

The Shepparton Festival will hold its 25th anniversary event next year in winter. Titled ‘Unify 2021’ it will be held across the Goulburn Valley from 11 to 27 June. The tagline ‘Unique events in unusual places’ has us all intrigued. Shepparton Festival general manager Louise Tremper says the festival committee is looking forward to delivering a safe and exciting festival in 2021. She said it aims to:

reignite the creativity that our region is so well known for and to giving a boost to our visitor economy.

The festival director, Jamie Lea, says she is very eager to get to work again, as the festival will reach new heights and go beyond expectations to deliver an outstanding experience. She said:

Unify is a call to action on so many levels and the perfect theme for a post-lockdown festival. We are all hungry for a festival, but before we know it, June will be here …

Being a winter festival, it will take advantage of the darkness of night and the magic of projection. The festival will have special input from Bill Kelly, the world-renowned artist, who will bring his creative and artistic skills to bear.

Each year we have been delighted by the venues used and the extraordinary performances that have been brought to our city, and next year will be no exception. The recent cash injection from the state government of $49 000 will be a great boost to the festival, taking it to the next level of professional development. I extend an invitation to our new Minister for Creative Industries, who is here in the chamber, to launch the Shepparton Festival and to formally open it.

https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/default-post-image.jpg 300 300 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2020-11-26 14:43:542020-11-26 14:43:54Shepparton Festival

Sheed welcomes Budget announcements for Shepparton

November 24, 2020/0 Comments/in Latest News, Media Releases /by Suzanna Sheed

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has today welcomed the state Budget and what it delivers for Shepparton District community members.

“The $80 million to enable rail works to continue and to help provide VLocity trains on the Shepparton line is very welcome.”

“This is something the community has worked towards for many many years and will finally provide Shepparton Line passengers with the modern, reliable public transport services they deserve.”

“I am also delighted that, in this Budget, the State Government has underlined its commitment to a guaranteed minimum investment of $45 million to build new social housing in Shepparton.”

“This investment is expected to cut the waiting list for homes in the Shepparton area in half.

“I look forward to working with the government and the community to ensure that this investment is maximised for the benefit of community members who need it most, those who are suffering homelessness and insecure housing.”

“I see the next step as working to find even more investment so that the waiting list can be cut entirely and we can eliminate the scourge of homelessness from our communities across Victoria.”

“I also welcome $119 million confirmed today for the Shepparton Education Plan, which includes funds to continue support for the merger of four secondary schools to create Greater Shepparton Secondary College at a new purpose-built campus.

The college will offer the Shepparton community new facilities and provide students more subject choices than ever before.

This builds on previous budget announcements that provided funding a new integrated early learning centre in Mooroopna also a part of the Shepparton Education Plan.

“Investment in education is essential for the Shepparton area. It will help transform student outcomes by empowering all students to learn and achieve, provide high-quality teaching and give students the best possible conditions for lifelong learning.

“This investment will help change lives, providing young people with the confidence and skills they will need to achieve for themselves, their families and for the broader community.

“Only an independent local member, working hard with and on behalf of the community, has been able to deliver investments on this scale for Shepparton District, which had previously been overlooked for decades.

“Independent MPs are delivering for communities right across Victoria.

“Instead of being bound to a party system, Independent MPs can concentrate on what matters most, representing their communities with integrity, focus and grit and fighting for what communities really need.

“I will continue to work hard on behalf of Shepparton District, consult as widely as possible and work to ensure that the region gets what it needs most,” Ms Sheed said.

“There is no doubt that, as the pandemic eases, debt and how we pay it off will become an issue. In the meantime, we must use the stimulus available and ensure that every dollar is invested wisely, that jobs are created and that the needs of the community are prioritised.

Budget announcements that affect Shepparton

Together with a federal contribution we now have $400 million for the Shepparton Rail Line Upgrade Stage 3 which will enable nine daily return passenger services to Melbourne.

Other Shepparton-based initiatives include:

• $45 million for social housing on Greater Shepparton

• Upgrade funding towards the University of Melbourne’s Dookie campus from the Agricultural College Modernisation Fund

• $1.2 million for the Shepparton Family Drug Court Treatment program to help parents escape dependency and be there for their children

• Shepparton Art Museum to receive funding for external works from the $34.7 million Regional Creative Infrastructure Projects Initiative

• Shepparton will also receive funding through the ‘Social Cohesion Through Education’ program ($0.7 million this year) to support school communities and young people to be more engaged and informed, to reduce the risk of isolation, marginalization and attraction to violent extremism.

• Strathmerton Primary school is to receive $3.686 million for school upgrades

• $1.5 million for upgrades to Currawa Primary School

• Waaia Yalca South Primary School gets about $800,000 for upgrades

• $12.6 million to go to Goulburn Murray Rural Water Corporation this year for new projects

• $27.3 million to go to Goulburn Valley Regional Water Corporation this year for new projects

• $5.75 million has been made available for the Barmah National Park Joint Management Plan Implementation as part of the governments building works program

• $2.4 million has been made available for upgrades to Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE (GOTAFE) as part of the $55 million TAFE maintenance fund. Some of the other regional initiatives that should benefit Shepparton

Some of the other regional initiatives that should benefit Shepparton

• $2.2 million has been allocated towards ‘Supporting Improved Settlement Outcomes’ for Victorian humanitarian cohorts and emerging migrant communities and to provide increased capacity for regional community hubs

• The Regional First Home Owner Grant (Part of COVID tax relief) has been extended

• Support is being put in place for businesses to open, relocate and expand in regional Victoria (including 50 per cent stamp duty concessions for business to move to rural and regional Victoria) • An increase in the payroll tax threshold

• $120 million Regional Health Infrastructure fund to fund local health initiatives

• The Government’s $350 million Higher Education State Investment Fund is open to projects based in regional campuses including La Trobe University in Shepparton.

• $300 million to eradicate Mobile Black Spots in populated areas of regional Victoria

• $250 million to co-fund business-grade broadband connectivity for regional communities through the Gigabit State program.

• $65 million investment will back Victoria’s farmers, growers and producers, with our state’s new agriculture strategy.

ENDS

Media contact
Jacqui Hawkins 0403 657 267│jacqui.hawkins@parliament.vic.gov.au

Click here for PDF version

https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Suzanna-Seated-blue-shirt-main-image.jpg 630 1200 Suzanna Sheed https://suzannasheed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sheed-Logo-V2.png Suzanna Sheed2020-11-24 16:40:562020-11-24 18:01:12Sheed welcomes Budget announcements for Shepparton
Page 1 of 66123›»

Pages

  • About Suzanna
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • COVID-19
  • Get Involved
  • Home
  • How Suzanna can help
  • Media Releases
  • News
  • Newsletters
  • Our Achievements
  • Our Vision
  • Out & About with Suzanna
  • Parliament
  • Photos
  • Request A Congratulatory Message
  • Shepparton District
  • Subscribe to our newsletter

Categories

  • Blog
  • Latest News
  • Media Releases
  • Newsletters
  • Parliament
  • Uncategorized

Archive

  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • February 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • June 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015

Get in touch with Suzanna

Share this page and show your support.

Subscribe

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

Keep up-to-date.
Follow us on social media.

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

Keep up-to-date.
Follow us on social media.

Scroll to top
Subscribe to our newsletter