Councils are calling for a greater injection of much-needed infrastructure funds from next week’s state budget.
Whittlesea council wants the state government to ensure the April 27 budget includes money to duplicate the municipality’s choked roads, including Bridge Inn, Plenty, Epping and Childs roads.
It also hopes the budget will fund a feasibility study into extending the route 86 tram from Bundoora to South Morang, and a review of bus services to improve frequency and routes in a bid to encourage more people to use public transport.
Also on the council’s wish list is money for supported accommodation for young people at South Morang. The 15-unit facility would offer young people specialist homelessness, mental health, education and employment services. The council estimates it will need $11 million in capital expenditure for the project.
Mayor Stevan Kozmevski called on the government to extend the Interface Growth Fund, which was established in last year’s budget, to help councils fund infrastructure.
He said there is a critical backlog of infrastructure and services in Whittlesea.
“Our residents should not be disadvantaged by living in outer suburbs, and should have the same access to transport, jobs and services as those who live closer to the city,” Cr Kozmevski said. “Council can only fund so much.
Hume hopes
Hume council has put more parking at Craigieburn train station at the top of its budget wish list.
Public transport Victoria rail patronage data shows that the station is used by more than 2800 people a day, almost half of whom get there by car. Yet, it only has 267 parking spaces.
The council also wants money set aside to acquire land for a future primary school at Aitken Hill, as well as providing new schools in Greenvale and Mickleham.
Hume’s other priorities include duplicating Craigieburn Road and constructing the Bulla bypass.
