Mitchell Shire has once again been denied vital investment in services and infrastructure in the Victorian budget handed down this week.
The 2022/23 State budget has failed to deliver any new projects for Mitchell, despite being one of the Victoria’s fastest growing municipalities.
Given the increased demand on local schools in the Shire’s south, Council was incredibly disappointed that there was no funding in this budget for priority schools including Kilmore Secondary and new primary schools for Wallan.
While the government should be applauded in its initiative for this to be a health budget, Council is once again disappointed to see no support for the Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub.
Seymour was identified as one of Victoria’s 20 most disadvantaged townships in the recent Dropping Off the Edge Report. Council is doing everything it can to give the State Government the opportunities to invest in essential support services that would turn the tide on disadvantage in the area.
Investment in the Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub was a top priority in Council’s budget submission. This transformational project would support up to 60,000 people living across the region by providing access to locally-based integrated health and mental health support, together with other vital community services.
Council had been seeking $9 million from the State Government and $14 million from Federal Government for this vital facility that would enable local partners to break down deeply entrenched intergenerational disadvantage.
There was a small win for public transport users in Kilmore with a commitment for a better bus service as part of a state-wide $109 million package.
