BRIMBANK has been almost entirely overlooked once again as the Coalition handed down its annual budget for 2012/13.
A $15.1 million Sunshine Hospital upgrade delivering a new 13-bed intensive care unit, and a $3.85 million upgrade open four new short-stay beds at the psychiatric unit were the key commitments from the record state infrastructure investment of $5.8 billion.
No local schools were singled out for upgrades and Caroline Springs residents must wait at least another year before a railway station is a reality.
St Albans residents and traders have also been left wondering if the long-promised grade separation will ever see the light of day.
The government has ignored St Albans yet again and will instead spend $350 million on three projects in Springvale and Mitcham in Melbourne’s east.
Western suburbs MP Andrew Elsbury welcomed the spending on Sunshine Hospital and said residents will benefit from upgrades to the West Gate Bridge and West Gate Freeway.
“The Coalition Government is delivering for the people of the Western suburbs where it is needed most; in health, education and roads.”
Treasurer Kim Wells said the government would deliver a $155 million surplus.
“It is about investing in a record state infrastructure spend, enhancing front line services and taking new measures to protect the most vulnerable Victorians.”
LeadWest chief executive Anton Mayer welcomed the funding for mental health services at Sunshine Hospital as well as $15 million towards developing critical care services.
But he was “very disappointed” the St Albans level crossing could not be updated and loss of TAFE funding.
“The loss of VCAL funding and changes to TAFE funding rates will impact on the west at a time when jobs are being lost we should be creating additional pathways to skills development.”
“The spending priorities went largely east again. There’s $4.5 million for Puffing Billy, but no funds for the train station at Caroline Springs nor for grade separation at St Albans.”
The government will also cut 600 further public sector jobs, bringing the total to 4200.
Opposition leader Daniel Andrews said Victorian families have been let down.
“Ted Baillieu has delivered a horror budget for Victorian families who were hoping for a government that would protect jobs,” Mr Andrews said.
“The First Home Owners grant program has gone, the School Start Bonus has been dumped and the Education Maintenance Allowance slashed.”
Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) chief executive Cath Smith said there were good decisions in funding proven programs for vulnerable and abused children and young people.
“But there is too little investment in critical services, such as public transport for families moving into new fringe suburbs or growing regional cities,” she said.
The $690 million on prisons, including a $500m new prison to open at Ravenhall by 2017, “would be better spent on crime prevention – sitting alongside cuts to education and skills, community health and social housing – all critical for developing strong communities and a strong future economy.”
