The City of Casey has welcomed the Victorian Government's commitment to invest in important local projects and services as part of the 2022/23 State Budget.
Local residents will benefit from the funding boost to expand the Casey Hospital Emergency Department, upgrades to several local schools and safety improvements along the South Gippsland Highway among other budget measures.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM said Council looked forward to seeing these initiatives be implemented and deliver real value to the community.
"It is pleasing to see that at a time when it is needed most, Casey Hospital will share in a $236 M funding boost that will enable this critical service to increase its capacity to better support our community, improve patient care and support local jobs," said Ms Duff.
"We know the health care sector has been hardest hit during the pandemic and funding is vital to help alleviate the impacts of the pandemic for the services and staff at the front line and so our residents can access the essential care they need."
Ms Duff also welcomed the $15.4 m funding allocation for safety upgrades at South Gippsland Highway/Clyde Fiveways Road intersection in Devon Meadows, in a post budget announcement on Wednesday.
"The acknowledgement of this specific project investment as part of the Budget's $125.7 million high priority road upgrades package is great news.
"Our community considers transport infrastructure as most important for funding and the security of this project funding will help to improve traffic movement and safety for road users and the growing community in this area.
"This will be complemented by the rollout of extra bus services in Cranbourne West, and improved network connections to the Casey Business Park near Fountain Gate in Narre Warren as part of the $109 m bus services package of works.
"We look forward to working with our Government partners on these projects and service upgrades," said Ms Duff.
Also benefitting from this year's budget are a number of local schools, including:
- Brentwood Park Primary School, Berwick
- Clyde Creek Primary School, Clyde
- Clyde Primary School, Clyde
- Gleneagles Secondary College, Endeavour Hills
- Hampton Park Secondary College, Hampton Park
- Strathaird Primary School, Narre Warren South
- Kambrya College, Berwick
"The City of Casey is currently home to one of the highest populations of young people in the state and investments into local schools will help to ensure our residents can access quality education now and into the future," said Ms Duff.
Council also welcomes the extension of the $50 million Growing Suburbs Fund in this year's budget.
"The Growing Suburbs Fund has provided much-needed funding for a range of local projects in the past and we will put forward eligible projects for consideration in 2022/23," said Ms Duff.
Funding has also been announced for local projects and initiatives including land for police stations at Narre Warren and Clyde North, upgrades at Dandenong Police Paddocks Reserve, and continued funding for our kindergarten programs.
"Council was hoping to see further funding for transformational transport projects and infrastructure to help ease congestion, boost jobs and better connect our community to employment and services," said Ms Duff.
"As we head towards the Victorian Election this November, we will be advocating for projects our community considers most important for funding, with roads and public transport at the top of the list.
"We'll be calling on both sides of politics to make a commitment towards priority projects including Clyde Road Corridor Upgrade, Clyde Rail Link, Thompsons Road upgrade and other local projects and initiatives."
