By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Regional cities like Geelong were the big winners in this year’s budget, treasurer Tim Pallas claims.
“This budget delivers the highest regional infrastructure investment on record,” he said.
“With our investment, regional cities will start to rival Melbourne in the race for new jobs, businesses and residents.
“They will become renowned centres for education, and arts and culture – drawing in visitors from across the country.
“And they will be home to the industries of the future.”
Geelong’s roads, rail and schools are the focus of the big-spending budget.
Regional Victoria gets a $1.3 billion investment into improved rail services, with 170 V/Line services to be added, giving Geelong more trains, more often.
There was also money to prepare business cases for the duplication of the line from South Geelong to Waurn Ponds and for extra services to Armstrong Creek.
The Drysdale Bypass received $107 million and $4 million was allocated to planning for the Geelong Ring Road Extension to the Bellarine Peninsula.
There was $15 million for planning future regional road works in various locations including Barwon Heads and Geelong.
The previously announced Western Distributor received $1.46 billion over four years with claims it will cut travel times from Geelong by 20 minutes.
Geelong Performing Arts Centre received $7 million towards its redevelopment.
A number of schools received funding out of a $55 million pool for upgrades and modernisation.
The list includes Bellarine Secondary College, Belmont High School, Grovedale College, Manifold Heights Primary School, Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College, Nelson Park School, North Geelong Secondary College, Oberon High School, Ocean Grove Primary School and Whittington Primary School.
The government had already announced a new tech school for Geelong, to be located at Gordon Institute’s city campus.
Another $5.5 million was allocated to “revitalise Geelong improving outdoor spaces and streetscapes in central Geelong and supporting the work of the Geelong authority to deliver the projects the city needs”.
There was also $3 million to meet extra planning responsibilities associated with important developments in regional Victoria, including in central Geelong and the Moolap waterfront precinct.
The Geelong police station will receive funding for a refurbishment.
Shadow treasurer Michael O’Brien the budget was lightweight, with little substance and no jobs plan for the loss of car makers, Ford, Holden and Toyota.
He said Mr Pallas had money to spend because he had “literally had a Tattslotto win”.
“When you look at the revenue windfalls this Treasurer has received, he is walking proof of the adage that it is far better to be lucky than good,” Mr O’Brien said.
He said the government’s “windfall gains” included land transfer duty up by $1.6 billion, GST up $1 billion and the $540 million court win against Tatts over gaming machine licences.
