The 2022-23 budget included funding for several regional Victorian projects including $2 billion for a Regional Accelerator program for manufacturing, education, supply chains, export opportunities and defence industry.
Transport and freight will be boosted with funding of $3.1 billion for an Inland Rail project and $150 million to fund the construction of complementary infrastructure projects that will unlock benefits of inland rail for regional economies.
A Regional Australia Level Crossing Safety Program was announced, which includes $160 million for upgrades to level crossings and $880 million for the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative to improve road safety, enhance productivity and boost the resilience of the freight network.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said while council welcomed the government’s $501.7 million investment to help local councils deliver priority projects, the absence of specific funding for the bypass was concerning.
“This region has shown that we can deliver complex projects, and each dollar spent here by the Commonwealth Government generates many more in economic activity across the country,” she said.
Delivery of Stage 1 of the Goulburn Valley Highway (Shepparton) Bypass remains at the top of the priority list for the region, after the Victorian Government allocated $10.2 million for the finalisation of a business case and the Commonwealth committed $208 million to begin construction; however, this is not sufficient to construct Stage 1.
“The time to deliver on this number one priority for our region is now,” Cr O’Keeffe said.
“Once adequately funded this project will transform the region’s freight capacity and improve safety for drivers and visitors to the region through diversion of significant volumes of heavy vehicle movement from Shepparton’s CBD.”
Goulburn Valley Highway (Shepparton) Bypass Action Group chair Peter Johnson said the project had been endorsed by council and the Committee for Greater Shepparton as a project of the highest priority.
“The safety and amenity of Shepparton and its CBD and urban areas are being seriously and detrimentally affected by the numbers of vehicles, particularly trucks, which are forced to pass through the centre of the city to access other areas and exits,” he said.
The Shepparton Sports and Events Centre, which will be a regionally and nationally significant sporting, entertainment and events complex, and potentially a key component of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, did not attract funding.
“Investment into a redeveloped Shepparton Sports and Events Centre would enable the facility to host competition as part of any regional schedule, which would be a significant economic and social boost for the broader region,” Cr O’Keeffe said.
Other key infrastructure projects including the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, a Clinical Health School and funding for the Shepparton North Road Package were also left wanting.
Council is also advocating for funding to expand the Museum of Vehicle Evolution to increase the current floor space and create a more innovative and engaging experience for visitors.
