Brimbank City Council welcomes the Victorian Government’s 2023-24 budget with new funding announced for priority projects and election promises, but is concerned about the status of funding for major projects such as the Sunshine Precinct Masterplan, Calder Freeway upgrade and the Melbourne Airport Rail.
The budget delivers $80m for the rebuild of Albion Station, as well as funding for the extension of the platform at Ardeer Station. There is also $9.7m for pump station storage at Brimbank Park in Keilor East.
In a win-win for Victoria University (VU) and Brimbank Council, the budget includes Australia’s first Centre for Paramedicine to be established by VU in Sunshine.
Other investments in health and education that will deliver direct benefits for Brimbank include a new Tech School in Sunshine, a PET scanner for Sunshine Hospital, and a new comprehensive women's health clinic at Sunshine Hospital.
$20m has been allocated to the Clean Air for the Western Suburbs, which includes grants of $5 million earmarked for local governments to spend on roadworks to support the program.
Community facilities and social services in Brimbank have been allocated approximately $23m which is distributed across schools, parks, community and cultural centres and sports clubs.
The budget includes expansion of the Victoria Police Embedded Youth Outreach Program and funding for the continuation of Le Mana Pasifika, a community education program for Pasifika youth.
While Council has been assured of the $143m for the Sunshine Station, the funding allocation is not clarified in the budget announcement, nor is the Calder Highway Upgrade.
The Melbourne Airport Rail remains in limbo as the Federal Government undertakes its 90 day review of major infrastructure projects.
Quotes to be attributed to Brimbank Mayor Cr Bruce Lancashire:
“Great to see the Victorian Government back up its election promises with a fair amount of money being invested in Brimbank and across Melbourne’s west.
“That said, we need to keep up pressure on the Victorian Government to follow through with funding for strategic projects which are vital for long term economic benefit of the city and the state, including the Sunshine Station Masterplan, Calder Freeway upgrade and the Melbourne Airport Rail.”
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Community facilities and social services located in the City of Brimbank funded in the State Budget 2023-2024:
- $9.5m for upgrades to both campuses of the Sydenham-Hillside Primary
- $7.4m for University Park Primary School in St Albans
- $2m for Sacred Heart Primary School in St Albans
- $876,000 for alcohol and other drugs residential rehabilitation treatment expansion in St Albans
- $800,000 for a new dog park in the Sydenham
- $750,000 for a Croatian Community Centre in Sunshine North
- $700,000 for upgrades to Keilor Sports Club
- $500,000 towards a sporting precinct at Sydenham Park
- $280,000 towards the delivery of lighting upgrades at Green Gully Soccer Club in Keilor Downs
- $140,000 towards upgrading the 1st Deer Park Scouts facilities
- $50,000 to upgrade community facilities at the Australian Bosnian Islamic Centre in Deer Park.