11 May 2015
Rural and regional Victoria will share in just 2.9 per cent of the major projects promised in Daniel Andrews’ first State Budget.
Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said when you compared the major projects being promised for Melbourne with the number for rural and regional Victoria the result was concerning.
“If rural and regional Victorians feel short-changed by Daniel Andrews’ first State Budget there’s a very good reason “ Mr Walsh said.
“Almost $26 billion worth of major projects have been promised for Melbourne and its suburbs compared to just $751 million across the rest of the state.
“Daniel Andrews has been fast gaining a reputation as a Premier focused on political outcomes in Melbourne at the expense of rural and regional Victoria – and these figures prove why.
“This is a Melbourne Labor Government.”
Mr Walsh said the Melbourne Labor Government was also cutting the Regional Living Expo an annual event where rural and regional councils can showcase their region to city-dwellers.
That’s on top of cutting the Country Roads and Bridges Program the Regional Growth Fund and the wild dog bounty.
“Daniel Andrews should quickly reassess his priorities because his first State Budget has totally abandoned rural and regional Victorians “ Mr Walsh said.
“The most significant project this Labor Government is delivering for rural and regional Victoria – the Murray Basin Rail Project – was actually started and funded by the Coalition.
“Daniel Andrews promised to “˜govern for all Victorians’ and that is what rural and regional Victorians rightly expect.”
|
REGIONAL |
$ |
METROPOLITAN |
$ |
|
Regional Infrastructure Fund |
250 million |
Melbourne Metro |
11 billion |
|
Murray Basin Rail Project |
220 million |
Level crossing removals |
6 billion |
|
Waurn Ponds rail yard |
115 million |
Western Distributor |
5.5 billion |
|
Echuca Bridge |
96 million |
Tullamarine widening |
1.3 billion |
|
Simonds Stadium |
70 million |
Mernda rail line extension |
600 million |
|
|
|
West Gate Distributor |
500 million |
|
|
751 million |
Convention Centre |
370 million |
|
|
2.9 per cent |
Thompson Rd widening |
175 million |
|
|
|
Western Ring Road |
150 million |
|
|
|
Yan Yean Road widening |
135 million |
|
|
|
Chandler Highway Bridge |
110 million |
|
|
|
Frankston Station |
63 million |
|
|
|
Junction Oval |
25 million |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$25 928 million |
|
|
|
|
97.1 per cent |