Highlights from the Andrews Government’s 2023/24 budget for the Goulburn and Murray valleys include commitments of up to $55 million to rebuild an aged care facility in Numurkah, the construction of four early learning centres, rebuilding the Heathcote and Rochester VicSES Emergency Hubs and ongoing funding for flood recovery.
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NCN Health has welcomed the Victorian Government’s commitment to the redevelopment of the Numurkah Pioneers Memorial Lodge after two decades of campaigning by the community.
The allocation of up to $55 million in the budget confirms the government’s commitment during the last election campaign.
A new lodge will be built next to the Numurkah Karinya Nursing Home and hospital acute ward with construction expected to begin by 2025.
Cohuna will also get new aged care facilities.
Early learning
The Andrews Government also announced that it will build 50 government-owned and run early learning centres in areas of most need.
They will offer childcare and kindergarten and, where possible, be located near other relevant services such as schools and maternal and child health facilities.
Sites have been confirmed in 30 communities, including in Numurkah, Rochester, Seymour and Shepparton.
Flood recovery and road funding
Rochester will have millions of dollars pumped into its vital infrastructure with it also having its VicSES Emergency Hub rebuilt.
More than $23 million has been allocated to rebuild the Rochester and Heathcote VicSES Emergency Hubs while Rochester’s police station, which was badly damaged by floodwater, will have $1.3 million spent on it to provide a permanent home, including flood mitigation works to be carried out on the site.
The government said $677 million has been committed to “ongoing flood recovery, building on the $1.8 billion” promised last year to communities across the state.
An extra $2.8 billion will be spent on road maintenance over 10 years to repair roads across the state.
The government said the extra funding means at least $6.6 billion will be invested in road asset management on Victoria’s road network over the next decade.
Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services and Member for Northern Victoria Region Jaclyn Symes said the budget gives support where it is needed.
“Recovery is different in every community and takes time. We promised to support communities for the long haul and this budget continues to back the important work being driven by locals,” she said.
Health care
In health care, the government has committed $20 million to support 25 Priority Primary Care Centres, including eight in regional Victoria.
GV Health in Shepparton, along with hospitals in Ballarat, Warrnambool and Wangaratta get a share of $44 million being spent to deliver eight new PET scanners, improving capacity to assess cancers, neurological and cardiovascular diseases.
Primary production
In the field of biosecurity, the government said it will invest $17.5 million in skills training and equipment to prepare for a rapid response to any emergency animal disease detection.
The government has announced $3 million for farm safety programs, $10 million for the Distillery Door program, $5 million for the Wine to the World program and $5 million in hospitality scholarships.
Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney said the budget recognises the importance of Victoria’s agriculture sector.
“We’re backing our world-class agriculture industry and the Victorians who rely on it, helping farmers access new markets at home and overseas and future-proofing the sector against pests and diseases,” she said.
Tourism
The government has announced it is also spending $32.5 million to promote the state’s tourism industry.
A total of $10 million will be spent to keep entry to Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, Werribee Open Range Zoo, and Kyabram Fauna Park free for children under 16 years of age on weekends, public holidays and during school holidays.
“Tiny towns” of up to 5000 people across the state are the target of a $10 million Tiny Towns Fund for regional and outer suburban communities, supporting projects that drive tourism and community pride.
Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing said the budget supported the state’s regional areas.
“It's so important to recognise and support our smallest towns across rural and regional Victoria, including through transition and change, we’re delighted to invest in these communities, their liveability, histories, and pride of place,” Ms Shing said.
Housing crisis
Funding has continued for the Government’s $5.3 billion Big Housing Build of social and affordable housing, to deliver over 12,000 new homes for Victorians, including a target of $1.25 billion to be spent across regional areas.
Justice system
With regards to the justice system, the budget allocates $70.7 million to the Bendigo Law Courts, Drug Court pilots in Shepparton and Ballarat and a Drug and Alcohol Treatment program in the County Court, as well as better case management systems and remote hearing services.
The Government said its custody package in the budget will also help more vulnerable young people at risk of prolonged contact with the criminal justice system, supporting the Aboriginal Youth Cautioning Program and expanding the Embedded Youth Outreach Program to Brimbank-Melton and Greater Shepparton.
Greater Shepparton has the largest Aboriginal population outside Melbourne and should benefit from the $53.9 million being spent on staff training and development to support Aboriginal youth in custody and address their over-representation in the justice system.
Minister for Corrections, Youth Justice and Victim Support Enver Erdogan the Government’s justice commitments strike the right balance.
“Our priority is keeping Victorians safe and supporting people when they need it most,” he said.
“By investing in intervention, diversion and reintegration support, we’re creating a safer community for everyone.”
Statewide commitments
The Andrews Government has also emphasised a series of statewide commitments it said will benefit the Goulburn and Murray Valleys.
They include its free kinder program, saving families up to $2500 per child each year.
It is spending $32 million to attract and retain more teachers across regional Victoria, including allowances for pre-service teachers to undertake placements at regional and remote schools.
An initial $1 billion investment in the SEC will help deliver 4.5 gigawatts of power, the equivalent replacement capacity of Loy Yang A power station, through renewable energy projects, which the Government promises regional Victoria will play an integral role in.
The government said its commitment to cap regional V/Line fares at the daily metropolitan price has saved Victorians about $8 million already and it is promising to spend $219 million on providing almost 200 extra regional weekend services across the state, and $601 million on building 23 new VLocity trains to be built right in Victoria.
“We’re doing what matters, supporting families, jobs and fairness in rural and regional Victoria,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“Whether it’s bringing back the SEC, making V/Line fares fairer or upgrading key regional hospitals, we are delivering for all Victorians.”
Senior Journalist