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State Budget met with cautious optimismLatrobe City Council is cautiously optimistic about the State Government’s 2017/18 Budget. By Portal Admin - 4th May 2017 - Back to News Council has been strongly advocating on behalf of its community since ENGIE’s announcement of the Hazelwood Power Station closure, seeking to deliver a respectful transition.
Latrobe City mayor, Councillor Kellie O’Callaghan said our State Government Budget submission requested an immediate investment in:
Decentralisation – 700 public service roles to be relocated to Latrobe City with these roles coming from Energy and Earth Resource; Environment Protection Authority or Consumer Affairs.
Improved Rail Services – Immediate funding of $500 million as a down payment on the $1.5 Billion over five years to deliver the rail services that Gippslanders deserve.
Investment in Gippsland’s health services.
Establishment of a Brown Coal Royalties Investment Fund – to future proof the Latrobe City community against further brown coal and generation adjustment shocks and so that a portion of royalties earned from mining in our municipality can be reinvested in the long term economic health of our community.
"We’re mindful that the State Government has already delivered a considerable injection of funding to the Latrobe Valley prior to the budget process," Cr O’Callaghan said.
"For this we are enormously grateful and are working with the State to ensure that these important liveability projects are delivered for this community.
"This Budget begins to deliver on our key asks of rail and decentralisation.
"We are hopeful that the 150 jobs announced is only the first stage of a larger decentralisation program being delivered by the State Government.
"Our Budget requests aimed to advocate strongly for a smooth community-led transition. They were designed to move quickly to replace the 750 jobs that are no longer active in this local economy.
"While we are mindful of the commentary around the Rail announcement, Council’s role is to hold to account those who make commitments to our community.
"The State Budget may not have delivered all of the key requests of our community as asked through the Strength-Led Transition, but we will continue to advocate and lobby to ensure that a bright, prosperous and respectful transition is secured."
Media Enquiries:
Cr Kellie O’Callaghan, Latrobe City Mayor
Telephone: 0400 696 324
Cr Graeme Middlemiss, Latrobe City Deputy Mayor
Telephone: 0417 379 059
Media Relations Office
Telephone: 5128 5458
For general enquiries, contact Latrobe City Council on 1300 367 700.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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