Electrifying the Melton train line, improving the Calder Freeway and removing three level crossings on the Sunbury line are top priorities for a Brimbank council vying for state government funding.
The expansion of the Sunshine health precinct and an alternative river crossing to the West Gate Bridge are also big ticket items for the council, with the state budget due for release next Wednesday.
The simultaneous removal of three level crossings on the Sunbury line, a link from Sunshine station to Melbourne airport and a full Calder Park Drive interchange at Calder Freeway were key parts of the council’s transport report Unlock the Opportunity, released last August.
Brimbank’s chair of administrators, John Watson, said with rate-capping coming into effect next financial year, it is important that state and federal funding is increased.
“It is inevitable that there will be expenditure reductions [under rate-capping] by councils,” he said. “Increases in state government and Commonwealth funding are needed and would be welcomed to help with this constraint.”
Star Weekly revealed the council will slash an extra $2.2million from its next budget after it chose not to seek a rate rise beyond the state-imposed cap.
The council will now need to find $6.2million in savings in its next budget after $4million was initially projected in its long-term financial plan.
It expects to announce where savings will be found in its budget later this week.
The council also wants serious investment in “travel options”, including improved pedestrian and cycle connections and car parking that “alleviates congestion”.
The council is also keen to see the Palmers Road corridor project funded, a 16-kilometre road connecting the Calder and Western freeways.
VicRoads has plans to acquire “parts of” up to 26 properties for the road, which is yet to be budgeted for and isn’t expected to be completed until 2046.
