Roads and railway the Budget winners

By Sarah Schwager
ROADS, public transport and the Australian Garden are the big winners in Cranbourne in this year’s State Budget.
Cranbourne Railway Station is set for a $37 million upgrade and $21 million will go towards completing the 21-hectare feature at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne in the Bracks Government’s 2007-08 Budget.
Motorists will also benefit from a $22 million commitment to duplicate Thompsons Road between Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road and South Gippsland Highway.
Cranbourne West Primary School will receive $5.1 million to modernise teaching and staff administration areas, and Casey will share in $7.5 million to deliver accommodation for young homeless people and those at risk of homelessness.
However, some shortfalls that residents, businesses and council have lobbied hard for over the past year still remain.
Funding for the Cranbourne Bypass and a Cranbourne East Railway Station are yet to be seen.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera said this year’s Budget delivered on the Government’s promises to improve services and build vital infrastructure.
“The Bracks Government is delivering on its commitment to meet the challenges of the future and invest in the services that matter to families,” Mr Perera said.
“These initiatives will build on the previous Budget announcements for Cranbourne ensuring this region continues to be a great place to live, work and invest.”
However, Liberal Hastings MP Neale Burgess said the Budget neglected the needs of Casey’s rural communities and the coastal villages.
He said a big disappointment in the State Government’s Budget was the lack of urgency in resolving Victoria’s water crisis, with only a fraction of the funding needed to provide long-term solutions.
“Things that are important to Victorians such as school standards, water recycling and conservation, and infrastructure to growing communities have been ignored, which makes this a Budget of missed opportunities and a let down to City of Casey residents and communities throughout the state,” Mr Burgess said.
Mr Perera said the Budget provided much-needed funding in key areas of importance for Cranbourne residents.
The main feature is the $37 million funding for a stabling project at Cranbourne, providing housing for six trains, as well as improved security and amenities, access for people with disabilities, and 90 extra car parks at Cranbourne Railway Station.
The works aim to allow more services to operate from Cranbourne and improve reliability for passengers by stabling trains at the end of the line.
The Thompsons Road duplication will add to the State Government’s preferred Cranbourne Bypass along Berwick-Cranbourne Road.