General News
26 May, 2023
The forgotten list
THE state budget offers very little for the residents of the South West Coast, according to local MP Roma Britnell.
Details of the proposed budget were released earlier this week and the Member for South West Coast said she was “disappointed” several major projects in the local area had not been allocated funding.
Ms Britnell criticised the Andrews Labor Government’s state budget for a lack of funding across the electorate, stating many important projects had not received the support they deserved and vital services were not being adequately funded.
She said among the “forgotten list” was the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club. Ms Britnell said she was disappointed the redevelopment of the club was not in the Budget.
“The Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club is an essential community asset that provides vital support to beachgoers in the region,” she said.
“The club is in urgent need of redevelopment to be able to meet the growing demands for its services and to provide a safer and more accessible facility for the community and its members. The government’s refusal to provide funding for this is a let down for our community.”
The Lookout (Residential Alcohol and Other Drug Rehabilitation Centre) is another facility which has also not received funding in the state budget. “With no residential rehabilitation facility west of Geelong, the people of Western Victoria are again forced to abandon their communities, support networks and treatment teams in order to access the life-changing treatment provided by residential rehabilitation programs,” Ms Britnell claimed.
“The people of South West Coast are paying more under this government yet they are not receiving the vital services they urgently need.
“I will not give up on The Lookout and the people who need access to a residential rehabilitation facility. I urge the government to reconsider its decision and to provide funding for The Lookout in the 2023 Victorian State Budget.”
Ms Britnell also highlighted the apparent lack of funding allocated to the government’s election promise of a new childcare facility in Portland.
“The Portland community desperately requires new childcare spaces. While the budget includes an unknown amount of funding for a new government-owned childcare centre, there is no detail in the budget to back that promise.”
She believes there is a “dire need” for additional childcare services in Portland so parents can return to work and fill the town’s labour shortages.
“The government has continually promised Portland a new childcare facility yet its budget doesn’t tell us how or when Portland will receive one.” Another issue of concern for local residents, according to Ms Britnell, is the need for an expanded multi-purpose sports facility in Portland.
“There is a clear need for such a facility in that town, which is why it was committed to before the November 2022 state election by myself,” she said.
“However, the government has completely ignored this. The community has waited years for much-needed investment in more indoor multi-purpose courts. We need to keep kids happy and healthy in local sport.
“I won’t stop fighting for our community until we see the funding for roads, services and infrastructure that our region deserves.
“Regional areas like South West Coast have had their infrastructure needs forgotten. Our sporting grounds need redevelopment, investment in public housing is failing to keep up with demand and our outdoor recreation facilities all need improvements.”
In addition to these important projects, Ms Britnell called on the government to allocate adequate funding for regional roads in the region, which have witnessed years of insufficient funding.
“Our roads are in a state of disrepair, and it’s time for the Andrews Labor Government to recognise the importance of investing in this critical infrastructure. Adequate funding for regional roads will make our communities safer.”
