WE were robbed, Whittlesea mayor Stevan Kozmevski said after last week’s budget.
“I just can’t find the words for how disappointed I am. I’m bewildered how little has been put in,” he said.
He joined the chorus of disappointment over the failure to fund Mernda Secondary College, and said the council had been knocked back on a request for an on-off ramp at O’Herns Road for the Craigieburn Bypass.
“We miss out again. It just seems to be something that’s not getting through. What we get is non-existent. We haven’t received our fair share for what is required for our growth.”
Cr Kozmevski said Whittlesea gamblers spent millions each year on pokies, which was taxed, yet the area received little in return.
The budget story was one of job cuts, tougher fines and cuts to TAFE education.
Northern Hospital’s emergency department will be expanded, but the $300 School Start Bonus will be abolished for families of 39,000 prep and Year 7 students. The TAFE sector will face cuts of $300 million.
