By NATALIE GALLENTI
CITY of Melton residents, councillors and politicians have slammed the 2013/14 State Budget, labelling it “disappointing”, “a disaster” and “insane”.
The community has been left shaking its head after requests for a new hospital, road duplications and upgrades to the Melton railway station were ignored.
One of the only highlights for Melton was the pre-budget announcement of $11.5 million for the construction of a primary school in Melton east.
Ballan Hospital will receive $2 million for a redevelopment and Bacchus Marsh will share in $25 million for enhanced bus services.
President of the Cambridge, Coburn and Watts Residents Association Nathan Miles said the Coalition Government had “discriminated against the West again”.
“It would be a fair statement to say that it has failed the municipality of Melton,” Mr Miles said.
Mr Miles said it was “insane” that residents living in the eastern corridor would continue to be forced to catch the Sydenham line train because the Government had failed to provide funding for the Caroline Springs train station.
Mayor Kathy Majdlik said the budget failed to recognise the need for infrastructure and service delivery in growth areas.
“Our municipality is the second fastest growing area in Australia, and with that growth comes the need for vital infrastructure and services. We need an infrastructure fund for interface growth councils,” Cr Majdlik said.
The council is also saddened by the lack of investment in health care within the municipality.
“Council has been advocating for a 24-hour hospital and a community health centre in Melton, and once again the State Government has let us down.”
Melton MP Don Nardella said his constituents had been “let down again” and called on the government to provide action in the West, rather than just planning.
Mr Nardella said the decision to construct a school in Melton West was welcomed, however residents have waited over two years for the announcement and will have to wait another two before students are able to enrol.
“With Melton having 42 babies being born every week, which is two Prep classes a week, this is too little too late and many of the primary schools are over capacity, like Wedge Park with 700 children,” he said.
Keilor MP Natalie Hutchins said roads, transport and education had lost out again with no funding set aside for improving black spots and building new schools in growth areas like Hillside, Caroline Springs and Taylors Hill.
Ms Hutchins welcomed the announcement that a Prep to Year 12 autistic school will be built in Laverton.
