Tuesday, 16 May 2023

 Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (16:59): (203) My adjournment matter is directed to the Treasurer, and it concerns several priority projects in the Shepparton electorate that require funding in the 2023–24 state budget. The action that I seek is for the Treasurer to ensure the upcoming state budget contains funding commitments for the many important infrastructure projects that are needed in the Shepparton electorate, including the four I will highlight in this contribution. The October 2022 flood event impacted many communities in northern Victoria, and as many people continue to rebuild from the devastation of the floods, such a natural disaster highlighted the need to deliver better infrastructure for local communities. The 2023–24 state budget is a chance for the Andrews Labor government to provide the appropriate funding for many of the key infrastructure projects identified as priorities both during and due to last October’s floods.

In Greater Shepparton one of the greatest issues of the floods was Mooroopna being cut off from Shepparton due to the necessary closure of the Peter Ross-Edwards Causeway. This closure highlighted the need for a second river crossing built above flood level to ensure our community is not divided in the future. The bypass has been the number one priority for the Greater Shepparton community for many years. Stage 1 of the Shepparton bypass project is a vital piece of road infrastructure that will not only remove dangerous heavy vehicles from the Shepparton CBD but also deliver a much-needed second river crossing between Shepparton and Mooroopna. This project requires a state contribution that should be 20 per cent of the cost, with 80 per cent provided by the federal government, and in the wake of the floods the Treasurer should see the importance of the project and deliver this funding in the state budget to allow this vital project to commence.

Many Shepparton residents were shocked at recent comments by the Minister for Health that the Goulburn Valley Health redevelopment was now complete. The Treasurer himself would know that the current work is just stage 1 of the hospital’s redevelopment as he provided $2 million in the 2019 state budget to develop a business case for the completion of the redevelopment. The necessary final stage will provide much-needed healthcare services for the Goulburn Valley community, and a funding commitment in the upcoming state budget is necessary to complete the hospital redevelopment.

In September 2018 four members of a school family were seriously injured in a motor collision at the Kialla West Primary School crossing during pick-up time. Despite my continued advocacy for a pedestrian underpass, this Labor government have done nothing to improve the safety for that school community and motorists, and the government must invest in the underpass to ensure student safety at the Kialla West Primary School.

The fourth important project that needs to be addressed is the critical shortage of medical professionals in our region. Goulburn Valley Health is experiencing a shortage of nurses and allied health professionals. They need 360 additional nurses by 2025. Establishing a clinical school on the grounds of GV Health would assist to train nurses and allied health professionals locally.