Wednesday, 9 March 2022

Shepparton infrastructure funding

Ms LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (17:59): (1802) My adjournment matter is for the Treasurer and highlights several priority projects in the Shepparton electorate that require funding in the 2022–23 state budget. The action that I seek from the Treasurer is that he addresses the need for job creation and delivers infrastructure upgrades in Greater Shepparton by providing funding commitments in the upcoming budget for the many important infrastructure projects in the Shepparton electorate. Despite false claims to the contrary, the Andrews Labor government has failed to commit appropriate funding for many key infrastructure projects in the Shepparton electorate. The upcoming budget is an opportunity for the Treasurer to finally commit to the state’s contribution of 20 per cent of the cost for stage 1 of the Shepparton bypass project. After committing funds five years ago for a business case, which was delivered over two years late, and early works that have still not been carried out, the Andrews Labor government has continually ignored this vital project.

The state budget must also include a funding commitment of $20 million for stage 1 of the Shepparton sports and events centre redevelopment. The $60 million project will generate 235 local jobs during construction, and new events attracted by the centre will generate an additional $12.3 million in visitor spending per year.

After years of the Goulburn Valley Health master plan being buried within the depths of the Department of Health, now is the time for the government to commit funding to complete the entire redevelopment of the hospital. The completion of the GV Health redevelopment will deliver world-class health services to many communities within the hospital’s patient catchment region and will include an integrated cancer centre, an integrated mental health and aged care facility, additional car parking and a helipad.

I have been calling for the Andrews Labor government to upgrade the school crossing at the Kialla West Primary School since September 2018, when a young family from the school was seriously injured at the crossing during school pick-up. Unfortunately the state government has done very little to improve the school crossing, and the upcoming budget is the perfect opportunity for the Treasurer to invest funding to ensure the safety of both motorists and the entire Kialla West school community.

To combat a shortage of nursing and midwifery positions and allied health professionals at GV Health, Greater Shepparton City Council is seeking a state government funding contribution to create a clinical health school on the grounds of the hospital’s Graham Street campus. Created from a partnership between GV Health, GOTAFE and La Trobe University, the school will address the current significant shortage of medical professionals in the region and allow students to benefit from learning in one of Victoria’s largest regional hospitals.

The Shepparton electorate requires investment to create jobs and deliver vital infrastructure, and the Treasurer must ensure the appropriate funding is included in the upcoming state budget for these important projects.