BRACKS SPEND UP – WHAT’S IN IT FOR NE VICTORIA

The Bracks Government’s $0.5 billion investment package for regional Victoria potentially offers some benefits to communities in north east Victoria but also reflects missed opportunities and Melbourne Labor’s lack of understanding of country Victorians and their needs according to Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.

Dr Sykes said, “Experience has taught me to be cautious in responding to Bracks Government funding announcements however at this stage, I see potential benefits to north east Victoria in proposals such as:

• Establishment of public bus services for the Ovens & King Valleys – I have repeatedly supported efforts by the Ovens Valley Awareness Group (OVAG) and other community groups to get better public transport for people in Myrtleford, Bright and nearby smaller communities in the Ovens Valley and communities in the King Valley.

If the Government delivers on this commitment then it will be much easier for young people to attend tertiary education, and the general public to attend medical and other appointments as well as doing basic shopping and having social contact.

• $3.1 million for the Falls Creek All Seasons Gateway Project will help boost regional tourism.

An additional vital component of regional tourism development is the sealing of the Bogong High Plains Road – I am continuing to strongly support Alpine Shire Council and mountain cattlemen in their efforts to secure Commonwealth Government funding for sealing the road.

I would also hope that some areas in north east Victoria will benefit from the program to stock waters with fish to encourage recreational fishing.

The pondage at Eildon and rivers such as the Kiewa River are already great fishing attractions – a fish stocking program will make them even more attractive.

• $20 million for Regional Arts Infrastructure and $8 million to assist the operation of regional art facilities will hopefully provide funding opportunities for Benalla Art Gallery and smaller galleries in Bright and other locations.

• An extra $6 million investment in country football and netball facilities is a win for The Nationals who have pushed long and hard for additional resourcing for football and netball clubs which are the heart and soul of country communities.

• Re-fitting of V/Line Trains will make north east train travellers’ journeys more comfortable and address concerns raised with me by many constituents.

• Small town grants have been increased and the increased ratio of State Government funding to local contributions recognises the ‘cash poor’ reality of many small country communities.

Focus on rail trails, walkways and other pathways which connect local communities hopefully provides opportunities to improve basic foot paths in communities such as Mansfield as well as develop the more tourist orientated rail trails.

Funding for water infrastructure will hopefully benefit communities such as Glenrowan which desperately need major water and sewerage upgrades.

I will also encourage the Devenish Community to apply to the Small Towns Grant Program to help fund the infrastructure costs for watering the community managed Recreation Reserve.

What’s wrong with the funding proposal?

• There is no money for connecting north east Victorian communities to natural gas, thus making a mockery of the Government election commitments to connect towns such as Myrtleford, Bright, Mansfield, Bonnie Doon and Alexandra to natural gas.

• The $6.2 million for weed control in urban fringe areas follows on from the Government ripping the heart out of front line pest and weed control staff in north east Victoria – a classic example of ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’.

• There is no money for maintenance of our roads and bridges – the life line of country communities.

• Nearly $5 million has been allocated to cut the red tape associated with environmental management, especially the management of native vegetation.

My concern is that rather than cutting red tape there will be yet another bureaucracy to deal with by landholders already strangled by kilometres of red tape.

Dr Sykes concluded, “The Bracks Government are masters of spin – so much so that even Shane Warne could learn a few tricks from them.

“I call on the Bracks Government to actually deliver on these announcements and to dig deeper and provide desperately needed funding for roads, bridges, natural gas connection and weed control.

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989