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Northe highlights budget priorities in Parliament

State Budget Planning for 2016-17

Russell Northe has highlighted the funding priorities of his electorate also to fund a number of projects and organisations.

By news@gippsland - 18th April 2016 - Back to News

Mr Northe said the Coalition previously allocated $100,000 to GCA with a further $120,000 committed prior to the 2014 election; however the Andrews Labor Government has completely ignored pleas for assistance.

"Similarly mental health advocacy group Barrier Breakers benefited from funding from the former Coalition Government but yet again the Andrews Labor Government had not provided any financial support to this organisation.

"Barrier Breakers relies heavily on the goodwill of volunteers and without funding to assist its administrative operations I fear that mental health services and support will be reduced across the Gippsland region.

"Our community has also campaigned long and hard for projects such as the redevelopment of the Latrobe Performing Arts centre and a public heated indoor pool in Traralgon," he said.

"These projects deserve the support of the Melbourne Labor Government and I call upon Daniel Andrews to provide funding in the upcoming budget for these initiatives along with recognising and funding the important work of both the Gippsland Carers Association and Barrier Breakers."

Mr Northe said the Andrews Labor Government had failed to match a number of Liberal-National Coalition pre-election commitments across all towns in the Morwell electorate.

"I have raised in Parliament, spoken to or written to the relevant Ministers over the past 12 months about each and every one of these projects and they are well aware of their importance to our community," Mr Northe said.

"I have also worked with the local communities and councils to ensure they are well prepared for these projects to be funded.

"All we need now is for the Labor Government to provide the support to get these important projects moving."

The budget will be delivered on 27 April.

Media contact: 5133 9088

LIST OF COALITION PROJECTS AND ORGANISATIONS IGNORED BY THE CURRENT LABOR GOVERNMENT

• $9 million for the construction of a Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre in Traralgon
• V/Line Rail upgrade package which includes 24 new weekly V/Line services, duplication of tracks, additional carriages and removal of level crossings
• $5 million for the establishment of a Gippsland Innovation and Enterprise Development Centre at Federation University, Churchill
• $1.2 million to construct a new fire station for the Newborough CFA
• $230,000 to redevelop the Traralgon Court House for community and commercial use
• $150,000 to establish lighting on the pathway linking the Yinnar township and Recreation Reserve
• $150,000 for an upgrade to facilities at Traralgon South Recreation Reserve
• $120,000 for Barrier Breakers to assist with administrative costs and mental health support services
• $120,000 to Gippsland Carers for its carer advocacy and administrative costs
• $100,000 towards the development of a synthetic bowling green at Gaskin Park Bowls Club, Churchill
• $50,000 towards the revitalisation of the tennis facilities at the Yallourn North Recreation Reserve
• $40,000 to assist in the redevelopment of the Yallourn Newborough Soccer Club pavilion
• $30,000 to develop a facilities master plan for the Flynn community
• $30,000 towards streetscape works in the township of Glengarry
• $30,000 to develop a recreational facilities master plan at the Boolarra Recreation Reserve
• $25,000 towards a lighting upgrade at Tyers Recreation Reserve
• $20,000 to develop a community and recreational master plan for the township of Cowwarr
• $15,000 towards an upgrade of clubrooms at Toongabbie Cricket Club
• $10,000 for kitchen and facility upgrades at Toongabbie Golf Club

Office of Russell Northe MLA

Member for Morwell

Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs

Shadow Minister for Liquor and Gaming Regulation

Russell Northe MLA