The state budget threatens to stretch the divide that is creating two Melbournes, the Interface Councils group has claimed.
Interface Councils spokesman and Melton mayor Bob Turner said last Friday: “While certain projects will benefit some growth areas – like eight new schools, the Pakenham- Cranbourne rail corridor project, the removal of zone 2 on the rail system and a small increase in the Child First program – the budget falls well short of what we need to bridge the years of neglect in delivering essential infrastructure to people who can’t afford to live closer to the city.
“Unfortunately, we have not received funding for buses, a key recommendation of the Victorian Auditor-General’s office.
“There is little funding for roads in the congested growth areas.
“And the only investment in new health infrastructure is a redevelopment of the Healesville hospital, which is not in a growth area.”
Cr Turner said the eight new schools announced by the government could not meet the requirements of the more than 600 children who move into or are born each week in one of Melbourne’s growth areas, where there is already chronic overcrowding and poor learning outcomes.
In 2012, the Interface Council released its One Melbourne or Two? report, which highlighted the level of disadvantage experienced by residents in the growth corridor suburbs compared with those in other parts of Melbourne.
“This budget has done nothing to bridge the gap,” Cr Turner said.
“In addition to public transport, we asked the government to provide us with a growth fund to provide critical community infrastructure in a timely manner.
“This hasn’t occurred, and funds continue to go to regional Victoria at the expense of the growth area.”
