The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with delivering on its election promises for our community – investing in what matters for the people of Bellarine.
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.
As part of a more than $2 billion investment in schools across Victoria, this year’s Budget includes $2.1 million to make sure students at Wallington Primary School have the learning spaces they deserve, with an upgraded main school building.
With huge demand for a skilled workforce, the Labor Government is making sure Victorians can get the skills they need for the job they want.
Students and workers in Geelong deserve access to the best training possible. A targeted investment of up to $36 million for the Gordon TAFE Disability Services Hub will make sure they get it.
We’re fixing the local roads people in Bellarine use every day, with a $250 million upgrade to Barwon Heads Road.
This includes duplicating Barwon Heads Road between Reserve Road and Lower Duneed Road to get local drivers out of traffic and home to their families sooner and safer – building on the work already underway upgrading Barwon Heads Road between Settlement Road and Reserve Road.
Every Victorian should be able to get the healthcare they need, when they need it, close to home. That’s why we’re ensuring women and their health are given the focus, funding and respect they deserve.
A comprehensive women’s health clinic at Barwon Health will change the way women’s health issues are treated, providing care and support for conditions like endometriosis, pelvic pain, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), perimenopause and menopause.
Sport is such a big part of our community, helping families in Bellarine to stay active and get engaged. With $20 million towards the delivery of North Bellarine Aquatic and Leisure Centre, we'll give locals more opportunities to come together while supporting the next generation of sporting greats with the facilities they need to spark their sporting dreams.
We’re also supporting our great local sports clubs with:
- $3.15 million to support the delivery of the Portarlington recreation reserve masterplan
- $2.5 million towards the delivery of pavilion upgrades at Barwon Heads Football Netball Club
- $1 million towards upgrades at Collendina Reserve in Ocean Grove
The Andrews Labor Government promised we’d make regional public transport fares fair. Since we capped regional fares at the daily metropolitan price earlier this year, Victorians have already saved more than $4 million.
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.
Geelong commuters deserve a great public transport network that gets them where they need to go – that’s why we’re investing in 20-minute weekend services for Geelong giving local commuters more flexibility.
The Budget will also invest in 23 new three-car VLocity trains, so more people can get where they need to go comfortably and safely.
We’re helping support people who get into trouble on the water with $2.2 million for a new Marine search and rescue vehicle for Queenscliff.
Investing in safer boating facilities is a win for all water users and local businesses and community members. With $20.5 million to upgrade St Leonards Pier and $2.8 million to improve St Leonards Boat Ramp, we're investing in the future of Victoria’s waterways and all the Victorians who love to use them.
Finally, we’re backing the community organisations that provide care, support and services to help Victorians when they need it the most.
Everyone in Bellarine knows what a massive contribution SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre and St Leonards Progress Association make to our local community.
That’s why we’re ensuring they have what they need to keep supporting our local community with $50,000 for SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre and $100,000 to upgrade the St Leonards Progress association hall.
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 Bellarine Alison Marchant
“We’re doing what matters for people on the Bellarine Peninsula and delivering every election promise we made for better schools, roads, trains, hospitals and community spaces in our area.”
“This Budget delivers for local kids and families in Bellarine – from a better school in Wallington to funding for the new North Bellarine Aquatic and Leisure Centre.”
