The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with delivering on its election promises for our community – investing in what matters for the people of Western Victoria.
We haven’t wasted a day delivering the services and projects that matter to Victorians. With the Victorian Budget 2023/24, we’re getting on with doing what we said we’d do.
Victorians remember the State Electricity Commission (SEC): it meant a fair deal on your power prices and good, stable jobs for workers.
That’s why we’re bringing it back – to drive down power bills and create thousands of jobs in renewable, government-owned energy.
An initial $1 billion investment in the SEC will help deliver 4.5 gigawatts of power – the equivalent replacement capacity of Loy Yang A – through renewable energy projects.
Bringing back the SEC won’t just mean more renewable energy, lower power bills and reduced carbon emissions – it’ll also help create 59,000 jobs.
Every family should have a great local school. As part of a $2 billion investment in schools across Victoria, we’ll kickstart planning to upgrade Cobden Technical School, Colac West Primary School and Lismore Primary School.
With 90 per cent of a child’s brain developing before the age of five, early education has the most profound impact on how our kids develop.
That’s why we’re delivering Free Kinder for three and four-year-olds, establishing Pre-Prep, and upgrading or providing new equipment to Kinders across the state to make sure Victorian kids can get the best start for the best life.
We’re getting on with building our mental health system from the ground up. We’ll begin planning for new Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals in Torquay and Colac to ensure more Victorians can get the help they need, close to home.
In this Budget, we’ll keep improving V/Line, with $206 million to provide almost 200 extra regional weekend services and $601 million for 23 new VLocity trains to be built right here in Victoria – supporting 500 local manufacturing jobs.
Local commuters will be able to make use of fairer V/Line fares – now capped at the daily metropolitan and five new return services on Saturday and Sunday on the Warrnambool Line.
Sport is such a big part of our community, helping local families to stay active and get engaged.
In this Budget, we’ll upgrade Torquay Bowls Club, with $40,000 towards planning for a third green, giving locals more opportunities to come together. We’ll also support surfing with $100,000 for Surfing Victoria.
We’re backing the community organisations that provide care, support and services to help Victorians when they need it the most.
Everyone knows what a massive contribution local neighbourhood houses make to improving local lives. We’re providing $60,000 to Anglesea Community House and $50,000 to Gellibrand Community House to continue their important work supporting our local community.
Investing in safer boating facilities is a win for all water users and local businesses in the area. With $800,000 to upgrade Torquay Fisherman’s boat ramp, improving car parking and access to the boat ramp, we’re investing in the future of Victoria’s waterways and all the Victorians who love to use them.
This Budget is delivering for all creatures great and small, with 4.7 million to create a Wildlife Hospital in Southwestern Victoria.
These are the things that matter – and the things we promised to Victorians.
And with this Budget, we’re getting on with delivering every election commitment we made at the last election.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“This is a budget that delivers for people in Western Victoria. From Torquay to Cobden, Lismore to Gellibrand, we’re getting on with delivering on every election commitment we made to our community.”
“In regional towns, our local schools are the heart and soul of the community. This Budget kickstarts important work to give students the learning spaces they deserve – with planning for upgrades to Cobden Technical School, Colac West Primary School and Lismore Primary School.”