Sheed welcomes Budget announcements for Shepparton

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

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