By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
THERE were few surprises for the Geelong region in this year’s state budget, with most major announcements already revealed over the last few weeks.
With state government firmly in election mode, the big ticket items all confirmed previous announcements, including the west section of East West Link and various school upgrades.
Notable omissions included any funding for Mayor Darryn Lyons’ pet Yarra St Pier project or further dollars for Geelong’s arts precinct.
The budget did promise $13 million for the Pioneer Rd duplication to Meadowvale Rd and $1.3 million for continued planning of the Avalon Airport Rail Link.
There was also $400,000 to upgrade bus interchanges at North Shore and Moorabool St and $500,000 to investigate the long-awaited Drysdale by-pass.
The budget committed $8.7 million to help support Victorian-based defence and aerospace manufacturers secure major contracts.
Mayor Darryn Lyons said he would “seek clarity on what this means for Geelong’s Land 400 bid”.
A budget of $220 million to build the Mildura to Geelong rail standardisation link coupled with a Food Into Asia Action Plan could be an economic boost for the region.
“Geelong’s food producers will be keen to share in the $35.4 million allocated in today’s state budget for the plan,” Cr Lyons said.
“The standardisation of the Mildura to Geelong rail link provides a great opportunity to increase trade through the Geelong Port and potentially supports Avalon Airport plans to serve as a hub for trade into China.”
Geelong’s stand-alone tourist body was snubbed with a $50 million allocation to upgrade the Great Ocean Road.
Bellarine Labor MP Lisa Neville said the budget was “another big disappointment for Geelong”.
“There is very little strategic investment to create jobs and help build the local economy. Funding to improve services is almost negligible.
“There is nothing for re-training to assist Alcoa workers and nothing new in funding for skills or training more broadly,” she said.
Lara MP John Eren said it was a “desperate budget by a desperate Premier which will do nothing to address the crisis in jobs, health and education for the Geelong community”.
