By Oscar Parry
Transport, roads, and the Plumpton Aquatic Leisure are some of the projects on Melton council’s state budget wish list as the council prepares for population growth.
Set to be released on Thursday, May 20, the state budget will provide projections of the government’s revenue and expenditure for the next year and outline services to be delivered.
Melton mayor Steve Abboushi said that under the state’s planning strategy, Plan for Victoria, Melton has a target to build another 109,000 homes by 2051.
“Council is supporting this ambitious target, however, corresponding government investment in transport infrastructure and services is required for our growing community,” Cr Abboushi said.
“A lack of access to quality public transport, congested roads, lack of local jobs, schools and health and human services, means residents must travel long distances to work and to access services that residents in other parts of Melbourne take for granted,” he said.
Cr Abboushi said that specific projects Melton would like to see funded in the state budget include additional bus routes for all residents – not just school services; new train stations at Mount Atkinson, Thornhill Park and Calder Park in Hillside; electrification of the Melton rail line; upgrades to Hopkins Road, Melton Highway, Westwood Drive, Robinsons Road and Calder Park Drive; and $15 million funding for the Plumpton Aquatic and Leisure Centre to match the federal government’s election commitment.
“Council is appreciative of the commitments already made by the [state] for a new hospital, TAFE, removal of level crossings, a new Melton train station, and the latest commitments in the federal election for the upgrade to the Western Highway and the Calder Park Interchange,” Cr Abboushi said.
“We would like to see construction commence on the hospital and TAFE for the timely delivery of these critical projects,” he said.
Moorabool council mayor Paul Tatchell said that Moorabool has had “good investment” from the state over the past few years for many projects and looks forward to “continuing to work with the government to attract infrastructure funding and services to our growing community.”
“We welcome any investment in what we know will be a tight budget,” Cr Tatchell said.
