FOUR projects within the Mansfield Shire have been tipped as priorities in the upcoming federal budget, with the Emergency Services Precinct once again making the list. Seeking a $4,000,000 Commonwealth commitment towards the estimated $6,000,000 project, funding would be used to construct a purpose-built centre allowing the SES, CFA and Ambulance Victoria to operate from the one site on the Maroondah Highway. Another project flagged for funding, is a network of cycling trails in and around Jamieson and Gough's Bay, in line with the Lake Eildon Master Plan. A federal contribution of $2,000,000 to the total project cost of $2,200,000 would improve connectivity, benefitting both locals and tourists alike, and provide an additional drawcard to the region. Roundabouts are required in strategic locations around Mansfield to provide improved traffic movement and road safety due to increased population growth and residential development, and $6,000,000 is being sought from the federal government to deliver this important infrastructure. Intersections proposed under the funding are Dead Horse Lane and Midland Highway, Mt Buller Rd and Greenvale Lane along with Mt Buller Rd and Highton Lane. The project has an estimated total cost of $7,000,000. Federal funding has also been requested to facilitate the redevelopment of the Bonnie Doon Recreation Reserve netball courts, with existing courts no longer fit for purpose. A masterplan has been developed for the Recreation Reserve, with support from the local community and the highly successful Bonnie Doon Football and Netball Club, with an increasing player base servicing Bonnie Doon and surrounding areas. A previous submission made to the Growing Regions Round 2 was unfortunately not successful, with the latest request for funding seeking a $1,000,000 contribution to the $1,400,000 cost. With a $13,000,000 contribution sought for projects in the shire, Independent Member for Indi Helen Haines released the Indi Budget Submission ahead of the budget, to be handed down on Tuesday March 25. Dr Haines said that despite murmurs the government would not hand down a budget, she had forged ahead with the work and in consultation with local councils and other key stakeholders prepared a detailed submission outlining key funding priorities for Mansfield and Indi overall. The key themes of Dr Haines’ Indi Budget Submission reflect the widespread concerns and policy priorities for Indi including regional housing supply, cost-of-living support, health, early education and care, climate change and energy, regional development and integrity. Dr Haines’ detailed funding proposals have been created in partnership with local councils, Regional Development Australia (Hume Region), Alpine Resorts Victoria and local stakeholders including Albury Wodonga Health, TAFEs, Tourism North East and North East Water. Dr Haines’ submission also includes measures to reduce cost-of-living pressures on households and small business and support regional Australia, such as: • A $2 billion Regional Housing Infrastructure Fund over four years in regional Australia to unlock investment in new houses; • Support for households to electrify through zero-interest loans; • Reintroduction of the Small Business Energy Incentive for an additional three years; • A dedicated regional health infrastructure fund; • Increased funding for regional internet and mobile phone blackspots, community nodes, tower backups and cells on wheels; and • An extension of the Renewable Heat Industrialisation Program to support manufacturing. Dr Haines called on the government to increase funding to dedicated regional grant programs in response to growing need and rising costs. “The regional Precincts and Partnerships and Growing Regions programs are two current government grant programs truly dedicated to regional development, but it needs greater investment," Dr Haines said. “Projects in Indi have secured funding through these programs, but others - like the netball court redevelopment at Bonnie Doon - were unsuccessful despite being worthy because the funding pool is too small.” Local projects listed in the 2024 Indi Budget submission that received funding included the Benalla Art Gallery and Mansfield Station Precinct.
