Federal Budget and its relevance to Victorian Local Government

Federal Budget and its relevance to Victorian Local Government

While the VLGA welcomes the record investment in infrastructure, it cautions that many commitments require co-funding from the state government, such as the Melbourne to Geelong fast rail project.

Most of the funding is a commitment over the next four financial years and given the imminent federal election, it is almost inevitable that most of these commitments will be reviewed and readjusted by a new government.

The VLGA is disappointed that there were no new specific budget measures for waste and recycling, except for the commitment that “the Department (of Environment and Energy) will continue to co-ordinate the development of a National Action Plan to deliver the 2018 National Waste Policy”.

“Our waste and recycling crisis requires strong national leadership and policy directives. We note the recent election commitment from the opposition and urge the Government to adopt similar or stronger measures leading up to the May election”.

“The $500 million Commuter Car Park Fund is a missed opportunity to solve our suburban congestion problem. In our view, that money will be much better spent on outer suburban bus networks to increase network reach, frequency and connectivity. An integrated public transport infrastructure will help to ease peak hour traffic congestion; increasing car parks at major public transport nodes will induce peak hour traffic congestion as commuters continue to depend on private vehicles to access public transport.”

Ends:

Please attribute to VLGA President Councillor Marg Attley and VLGA Chief Executive Officer Kathryn Arndt

Media contact: Liddy 0403 542 411