By Lexi Cottee
The Andrews state government’s first budget has delivered for the City of Whittlesea, with funds allocated to build a new police station, two new schools and plan the Mernda rail extension.
Despite a war of words between Labor and the state opposition over how much has been committed to the extension of the South Morang train line to Mernda and the duplication of Yan Yean road, works will start on both projects in the 2015-16 financial year. Money has been set aside to develop a business case for the Mernda rail extension ($9 million).
Another $865,000 is budgeted for planning the duplication of Yan Yean Road between Diamond Creek Road and Kurrak Road at Plenty. This project was costed by both Labor and the Coalition last year at $95 million.
The government will also spend
$40.7 million on the O’Herns Road and Hume Freeway diamond interchange, and is seeking commitments from the federal government and Whittlesea council to cover the remaining $70 million. Another election promise was kept when $15 million was earmarked for a new police station at Mernda.
About $6 million will be spent replacing portable classrooms at Mill Park Heights Primary School, while Doreen’s Hazel Glen College gets $7.8 million to construct stages three and four of its building project.
The former state government’s public private partnership model will be expanded to fund Mernda Central Secondary School. Another
$8 million has been set aside for early works. Budget surprises included $50 million for the Interface Councils Infrastructure Fund to help growth area councils build community centres and playgrounds. Northern Hospital gets $29 million to expand its inpatient capacity, but no reference was made to continuing the Healthy Together Victoria program beyond June 30.
Whittlesea mayor Ricky Kirkham rued shortfalls for the Yan Yean Road and Mernda rail projects but said the budget “recognises some of the needs of this growing community”.
