Shepparton has received critical funding in the Victorian budget to build infrastructure and the capacity for service delivery.
On top of the $196 million for the full replacement and expansion of the mental health unit at Goulburn Valley Health, there’s additional money for health, rail and roads.
“It is a great budget for Shepparton,” Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said.
Ms Allan has delivered on her commitment to the Shepparton Rail Revival Project, with $250 million in the budget to order VLocity trains for the Shepparton and Warrnambool lines.
“The important thing is we’ve ordered them,” Ms Allan said.
“In the back half of this year we will see some of the benefits from stage two come online, which includes the station upgrades and track capacity, including the first VLocity trains.”
Since first being elected, Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed has campaigned for the establishment of a dedicated mother and baby unit.
The budget delivers $25 million to construct a 10-bed early parenting centre in Shepparton to support families with children up to four years of age to enhance their relationships and achieve their parenting goals.
“Putting these initiatives alongside the new hospital, education and mental health facilities, we are really building up the infrastructure that supports the service delivery — and that is critical,” Ms Allan said.
“That is why we are investing in the buildings and the services.”
On the health front, Shepparton will also share $3.5 million to plan for a future emergency department mental health and alcohol and other drugs crisis hub.
There’s also new money ($3.5 million) for improvements to the Numurkah Rd and Graham St intersection in Shepparton and $24 million to redevelop Verney Road School.
Some $9.2 million will continue the therapeutic court program, including the Shepparton Drug Court, and $20 million will expand the Assessment and Referral Court, including at the Shepparton, Ballarat and Geelong magistrates’ courts.
The Assessment and Referral Court provides intensive support and supervision to people with a mental illness or cognitive impairment and helps address underlying factors that contribute to offending.
The budget also included $5.8 million to continue joint land management of the Barmah National Park in partnership with the Yorta Yorta people.