Gerald Lynch
Health is the big winner for Hume and Whittlesea residents in this year’s state budget, with a huge funding coup for Northern Hospital.
The Northern Hospital in Epping has been allocated $813 million, which will deliver up to 70 extra treatment spaces, alongside a new emergency department with a dedicated paediatric zone.
The state government is also progressing the delivery of community hospitals to provide more public healthcare options tailored to the local community, with hospitals in Craigieburn and Sunbury due for completion in 2024, and in Mernda in 2025.
However, residents waiting on progress for the Melbourne Airport rail link will need to continue to do so, with the project delayed at least four years, with other projects being prioritised.
Treasurer Tim Pallas said the state government had to focus on other areas of development.
“We have a huge amount of funding tied up with the Melbourne Airport Rail project. We need to be realistic about the project and its timeline,” he said.
“We’ve made the sensible decision to acknowledge the project is now at least four years delayed.”
Two northern secondary schools are winners in the budget, receiving $11.7 million each for modernisation of existing facilities.
The two schools are Gladstone Park Secondary College and Whittlesea Secondary College, with both sets of upgrades being earmarked for completion by October to December 2026.
The Mernda Stabling Yard has been given a total estimated investment of $58.76 million and has an estimated completion January to March 2027.
The project has been relocated from its original planned space at the Flemington Racecourse.
Stage one of the Mickleham Road Upgrade will continue to be worked on, with $47.7 million estimated to be spent in the next financial year, as a completed date of April to June 2026 is estimated.
Epping and South Morang are sharing in $19 million of funding for critical public and active transport upgrades for shared use paths.
The Victorian Asbestos Eradication Agency will receive $19.3 million to ensure the safe removal and disposal of asbestos in government-owned buildings. Asbestos fragments have been found in more than 10 parks across Melbourne since the start of April, including Seabrook Reserve in Broadmeadows.
