Tara Murray
Education, transport, health and family violence in Brimbank are the winners in this year’s state budget.
Two schools, St Albans East Primary School and Parkwood Green Primary School will both receive upgrades.
St Albans East will receive $7.92 million to rebuild a performing arts centre, while Parkwood Green in Hillside will receive $10 million to deliver modern teaching and learning spaces.
Funding for several other school projects included in this year’s budget had previously been announced, including Copperfield College in Delahey, Monmia Primary School, Rosamond Special School, Sunshine Primary School, Sunshine Special Developmental School, Furlong Park School For Deaf Children and Taylors Lakes primary and secondary schools.
This year’s state budget also included $9.4 million to expand mental health and alcohol and other drug treatment services at Westside Lodge in Sunshine.
Nearly $12 million has been allocated to the Sunshine Hospital Emergency Department, while Western Health will also receive funding for upgrades to both Sunshine and Footscray hospitals.
Funding for the previously announced new mental health priority site in Brimbank was also included. Six sites including one in Brimbank will be among the first of the ‘front-door’ services, for anyone in the community to access mental health support.
The Brimbank and Melton region will be one of the trial areas for a whole-of-family support model.
The government has pledged $78 million to establish Specialist Family Violence Courts at seven locations, including Sunshine.
These courts are specially designed to make attending court a less daunting experience for victim-survivors, including separate entrances and exits, safe waiting areas and dedicated space.
The redevelopment of the Sunshine Law Courts will further advance, with $9.7 million of the money allocated in last year’s budget included in this year’s budget.
The budget also allocated $9.5 millions for stage five and six of the public mausoleum at Keilor Cemetery. No money though has been allocated in this year’s budget.
