The Latrobe Valley is set to benefit from a number of major statewide announcements in the Victorian budget, with investment in roads and education – and cuts to payroll tax – key areas in this year’s economic plan.
It includes $4.3 billion targeted towards regional Victoria aimed at improving roads and rail, education and healthcare across the state – and attracting potential voters – ahead of November’s state election.
Major Latrobe Valley-specific announcements had already been detailed in the weeks leading up to the handing down of the budget, with no major surprises for the region following its publication this afternoon.
Labor state member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said the budget was the continuation of “hard work” to tackle challenges across Gippsland.
“[It] also improves the opportunities that are available, and increases our pride in the many positive things to celebrate and recognise,” Ms Shing said.
“Our food and fibre agenda, which was developed by the Gippsland Regional Partnership, will also receive $700,000 to drive development in the Gippsland food and fibre sectors.
“We are also committing record funding to health support workers and to residential rehab beds, and providing an additional $50 million to continue our upgrades to regional health infrastructure.”
While a location is yet to be confirmed, an announcement on a residential rehabiliation facility in Gippsland is expected to be made in the coming weeks.
The state government last week pre-announced it would fund a $35.5 million redevelopment of Federation Training at Morwell and $6 million for the Traralgon Education Regeneration Project as part of this year’s budget.
Under the project, modern infrastructure would be introduced to Latrobe Special Developmental School and Traralgon College.
There has been a significant emphasis on education in the budget with $172 million allocated to make priority TAFE and pre-apprenticeship courses free.
Businesses across the state, including in Gippsland, will benefit from a slash to the regional payroll tax rate – reduced to 2.425 per cent – in an attempt by the state government to encourage investment in regional communities.
More than $65 million has also been allocated in the budget to be spent on improving Gippsland roads and Regional Roads Victoria, a dedicated roads board, as part of a $941 million regional roads package.
“This includes a share of $100 millon dollars to upgrade regional council roads,” Ms Shing said.
