THE 2020-21 Victorian Budget has delivered investment for the Mildura electorate that has been overlooked for many years.
The Mildura electorate will receive more than $100 million in the budget with the highlights being:
- $10 million to complete the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct in full:
- $9.5 million for infrastructure upgrades at Hopetoun P-12 College;
- $5.937 million to complete infrastructure upgrades at Merbein P-10 College;
- $10 million for upgrades to Robinvale-Sea Lake Road;
- $4 million for the Henty Highway between Lascelles and Horsham;
- A share of $21 million to complete the rollout of the Hospital Outreach Post-suicidal Engagement (HOPE) program at Mildura Base Public Hospital;
- $40 million for the Mildura local government are for public housing;
- A share of $119 million to install air-conditioning to some public housing;
- $10.3 million for the Murray River Adventure Trail;
- $3.1 million for the Mallee Silo Art trail.
This funding expands on pre-Budget stimulus funding for the Mildura electorate that included $5.5 million for the Mildura Riverfront; $4.45 million for Buloke Shire streetscape revitalisation $1.3 million for worker accommodation in Mildura and Robinvale; $300,000 for the Sea Lake Visitor Centre and $43,000 for the Ouyen gym – as well as $4.4 million for SuniTAFE infrastructure upgrades.
Member for Mildura Ali Cupper said the investment showed the Victorian Government was taking the needs of the Mildura electorate seriously.
“Many of these projects have waited years to be funded,” Ms Cupper said.
“Merbein P-10 College will finally be able to get its upgrades completed while the science and food technology rooms at Hopetoun P-12 College are in a dire situation and clearly outdated.
“I campaigned strongly for the upgrades to Robinvale-Sea Lake, so it will be a great relief to people who use that road regularly.
“Having $40 million invested in public housing, as well as additional funding for air-conditioning for current public housing, is going to be a real game-changer for some of our most vulnerable residents.”
Ms Cupper said the funding to complete Stage 2 of the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct would be a relief to the many sporting clubs and associations to be based at the site on the corner of Deakin Avenue and Sixteenth Street.
“I have run a long, hard-fought #gameon campaign to secure the final $10 million needed to complete the precinct in full, so to see it in the budget today was so exciting.
“I’d like to thank all our stakeholders and partners who have joined us in this campaign.
“It is so exciting to think we will soon have a facility with the ability to host top quality sporting events and other concerts and conferences.”
