By Ewen McRae
The Melton and Moorabool regions have been left behind in last week’s federal budget, according to council and local MPs.
Melton mayor Bob Turner said it was disappointing to see infrastructure projects such as the Western Highway upgrade overlooked.
“We recently presented our case for the Western Highway Upgrade to the federal government and I’m extremely disappointed that our concerns haven’t been heard,” Cr Turner said.
“The Western Highway Upgrade is urgently needed to improve safety, serve Melton’s rapidly-growing population, and create jobs in the west.
“I’m concerned that Melton residents and all users of the Western Highway have been forgotten in this budget.”
Cr Turner said without federal input, there were limits on what the council could do.
“The city of Melton needs the federal government to invest in vital infrastructure, education, employment opportunities and sports and recreation facilities now,” Cr Turner said.
Meanwhile, Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, said vital projects in the Moorabool region, such as the Bacchus Marsh sports hub, deserved federal attention.
“None of these important projects have been considered worthy of funding by the Morrison Liberal government,” Ms King said.
“Indeed, the only mention of Ballarat in the budget papers is $10 million for the Ballarat to Ouyen corridor.
“This hardly meets the needs of our growing region.
“In contrast, Liberal-held and marginal seats around us received far more attention with billions going to the Geelong region and the hundreds of millions to the electorate of Wannon.
“Residents of the electorate of Ballarat are right to expect that they are given their fair share of national funding.”
