Sheed’s Budget reply puts Government on notice

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed says she will not be taking her foot off the accelerator despite achieving record investments in vital infrastructure for the region.

Ms Sheed used her official reply to the Victorian State Budget to thank the State Government for the more than $600m of funding Shepparton District has received over the past three years, but said there was still work to be done.

“It is an incredible honour to have the opportunity to advocate for our community’s needs directly with those who hold the state’s purse strings and I have been so pleased to see Shepparton District finally getting the attention it deserves,” Ms Sheed said.

“I’m in constant talks with the Government about projects big and small that will improve the liveability of our vibrant region, but I wanted to give all the Ministers a gentle reminder that we’re not where we need to be yet.”

In her speech, Ms Sheed described the $313m for extensive upgrades to the Shepparton train line as an “absolute jackpot” that would pave the way for 9 return VLocity train services each week day between Shepparton and Melbourne.

She also welcomed the commitment of $23m for the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, $20.5m for the first stage of the Shepparton Education Plan, $20m for road upgrades, $500,000 for Ardmona Primary School and $400,000 for the Barmah visitor area, as well as the announcement of a regional jobs procurement office for the region that would boost the capacity of local companies to attract new business.

“Our community has achieved so much in such a short amount of time but we still have unfinished business,” Ms Sheed said.

“The Shepparton Education Plan will need much more funding as we progess with the new secondary school and begin to look at what we can do to improve the educational experience for primary school students and children during their early years.

“And of course among other important projects such as the Shepparton Sports Stadium and the Shepparton Bypass, we’ll also be looking to secure a financial commitment for the second stage of Goulburn Valley Health’s redevelopment with an integrated cancer centre and residential mother-baby unit.”

A transcript of Ms Sheed’s Budget Reply can be found here.

 

ENDS

Media contact

Riahn Smith 0419 138 978│riahn.smith@parliament.vic.gov.au

Click here for PDF version.