Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has called on the Victorian Government to set in stone funding for the Shepparton bypass, $20 million for the first stage of the sports and events centre redevelopment and commit to a crossing at Kialla West Primary School.
Ms Lovell is also calling on Treasurer Tim Pallas to complete in full the planned redevelopment of Goulburn Valley Health.
“Despite boasts of their commitment to the Shepparton electorate, the Andrews Labor Government has failed to provide funding for vital infrastructure projects such as the Shepparton bypass, the Shepparton Sports and Events Centre and the completion of GV Health’s redevelopment,” she said.
“The 2022-23 state budget is a chance for the Treasurer to finally commit to our region by funding these projects to create hundreds of jobs and deliver the infrastructure the Shepparton electorate needs.”
Speaking during the adjournment debate in parliament, Ms Lovell called on Mr Pallas to address the need for job creation in the Shepparton electorate by committing funding to deliver important infrastructure upgrades in the electorate.
She urged Mr Pallas to commit the state government’s 20 per cent share in the Shepparton bypass, which Ms Lovell said would provide another river crossing and make the city’s CBD safer.
Mr Lovell also said $20 million for the first stage of the sports and event centre redevelopment would create more than 230 jobs and attract new events to Shepparton.
The GV Health redevelopment includes an integrated cancer centre, mental health facility and aged care facility, as well as additional parking and a helipad.
She also called for a $24.2 million clinical health school at GV Health, designed to combat the shortage of nursing and midwifery positions at the hospital.
Ms Lovell added since a “horrific” collision at the crossing outside Kialla West Primary School in 2018, the state government had done “very little to improve safety for students”.
“The Treasurer needs to provide funding in the budget for this project,” she said.
The budget is expected to be handed down in May.