By Marcus Uhe
The health and education sectors are the biggest winners for City of Casey residents from the 2022/23 Victorian State Budget, released Tuesday afternoon 3 May.
Casey Hospital will receive a share of $236 million in funding to double the capacity of its emergency department, as part of $2.3 billion to upgrade existing and build new hospitals across the State.
Minister for Health Martin Foley said the pandemic has reminded the State Government of the importance of investments in healthcare.
“Our healthcare workers across the state go above and beyond to give Victorians world-class care, and we’re investing to make sure they’ve got world-class hospitals and medical equipment to match,” Mr Foley said.
“This is about giving Victorians the confidence that when they need medical care, they’ll get it in a first-rate health and hospital system.”
The area will also share in $236 million allocated for land acquisition across seven Local Government Areas for future new schools.
Land has been secured for two primary schools and a secondary school in Clyde North, while a new primary school in Clyde North, Alexander Boulevard Primary School (interim name), will be constructed, with an expected completion date of 2024.
Alexander Boulevard Primary School (interim name) will be one of 13 new schools built as part of the 2022-23 budget.
Kambrya College in Berwick will receive an $18.9 million upgrade for 400 additional spaces for students in classrooms as part of $658.2 million investment in upgrades and improvements at existing schools.
The upgrade is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2025-26.
Dandenong Valley Special Developmental School in Narre Warren is also inline for an upgrade at a value of at least $14.775 million.
Education minister James Merlino said every Victorian kid deserves the best start in life.
“We know kids can’t learn at their best if they don’t feel happy and safe – that’s why we put health and wellbeing on an equal footing with academic achievement for Victorian students,” Mr Merlino said.
“We’re investing in our teachers and our education workforce because it’s good for students and it’s good for Victorian jobs.”
On the infrastructure front, $15.4 million will go towards intersection signalization at the intersection of Clyde Five Ways road and the South Gippsland Highway.
Despite these investments, Gembrook MP Brad Battin was left unimpressed, believing that residents in Casey will be left to sit in traffic with no money for any new road duplications or intersection upgrades.
“You can’t trust the Andrews Labor Government to deliver for the South East,” Mr Battin said.
