Wednesday, 11 May 2022

Budget 2022–23

Mr McGHIE (Melton) (12:54): The Melton electorate is buzzing with new infrastructure and investment into our community. A 90-second members statement is not enough to cover it. The big news was that the new Melton hospital was allocated more than $900 million. This will start construction of a 24-hour tertiary acute hospital in Cobblebank with a gross floor area of around 58 000 square metres to deliver 395 points of care. Construction is expected to commence in 2023–24.

I asked the community for their feedback on secondary schools, so it was exciting to hear that land will be acquired for a new Cobblebank secondary school alongside a new Toolern Waters primary school. Brookfield primary school will receive a share of $527 million for new school construction to deliver a new primary school, opening in 2024, for 575 students, including 50 places for students with disability.

I was with the Minister for Education and my colleague the member for Buninyong at the Darley Primary School for the announcement of a $10.68 million upgrade and modernisation of existing facilities. Melton South were ecstatic when the education minister and I visited Staughton College to announce that they will receive at least $31.77 million to upgrade and modernise the school, including replacing existing temporary facilities and adding an additional 400 spaces in permanent facilities to meet growing demand. There was massive news for the Bacchus Marsh community with news that the Andrews Labor government will contribute $10 million towards a new aquatic centre. Melton has also done well, with the Growing Suburbs Fund delivering vital infrastructure. It was great to see the extension of the Growing Suburbs Fund in the budget.

I was with the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, again, with the duplication of the Melton Highway— (Time expired)