By LIA SPENCER
FUNDING for the purchase of land for a new school, an upgrade to the Berwick Trade Careers centre and improvements to the road network were some of the State Government budget outcomes set to benefit Casey residents.
However, local Labor MPs say this funding is not good enough.
The 2013 State Budget was handed down by Treasurer Michael O’Brien in Parliament on Tuesday.
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich said residents in the region would benefit from several budget initiatives including $9.9 million in funding for improvements and rebuilding of existing south-east schools and a share of a further $7 million for land acquisition of a new school in the City of Casey; $11 million in funding for the $26 million Berwick Trade Careers Centre; $29.3 million in funding for improvements to the City of Casey road network for key arterial roads and intersection improvements.
But local Labor MPs said the State Government neglected schools, busy roads, Casey Hospital, and vital services.
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley said the State Government had refused to provide a single cent of funding for construction of the desperately needed Casey Central East Primary School,” Ms Graley said.
“Local schools are overflowing with nearly 1000 students each and our community continues to grow.”
Ms Graley said the budget directed the bulk of school maintenance funding to schools in Liberal and National party electorates, resulting in every school in the electorate of Narre Warren South missing out.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera said no specific funding was given for stage three of the modernisation of Cranbourne secondary or another primary school in Cranbourne West.
“The State Government has announced funding for the purchase of land for a proposed Heather Grove Primary School in Cranbourne East however, they have simply dumped the idea of constructing a much-needed primary school for Cranbourne South West,” Mr Perera said.
“Cranbourne West Primary School is bursting at the seams and an additional school is required in view of the growing population, as per the State Government’s announcement in 2012-2013.”
Ms Graley and Mr Perera were also upset the State Government failed to provide funding for extra beds at Casey Hospital.
“Over 55,000 people are waiting in pain on elective surgery lists and the Liberals have still cut over $200 million more from health. No additional beds for Casey Hospital,” Mr Perera said.
“The Liberals clearly think prison beds are more important than hospital beds.”
The two MPs said Thompsons Road was neglected while Ms Graley also said the Pound and Shrives roads intersection was in need of urgent upgrades.
“There was nothing specific for the upgrade of the notorious intersection of Westernport Highway and Thompson’s Road, Cranbourne West, which is one of the worst intersections in the state of Victoria,” Mr Perera said.
Mr Perera also expressed disappointment that youth suicide prevention funding was slashed and that there was no funding for a railway station in Cranbourne East, no additional bus services and no additional affordable housing in Cranbourne.
However, Ms Peulich said residents would benefit from other funding initiatives including $91 million extra for out-of-home care to continue work in improving the lives of vulnerable children; $46.2 million extra to support Victorian children in the vital years before school, $200 million over four years to Victorian TAFE institutes and $42.4 million for continued support for mental health beds.
