Budget hopes high as Mansfield makes its pitch

WITH the 2025–26 State Budget to be delivered on Tuesday, May 20, local representatives are sharpening their focus on long-standing funding priorities for the region—from fixing deteriorating rural roads to securing continued support for wild dog control, emergency services, and regional infrastructure. The budget will be handed down by Northern Victoria MP and Treasurer Jaclyn Symes, whose electorate stretches across much of the state’s north-east, including Mansfield Shire. This will mark her first state budget since being appointed Treasurer by Premier Jacinta Allan in December last year, following the resignation of Tim Pallas. State Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish said the State Budget must deliver for regional communities, with long-overdue investment in key local services and infrastructure. “First and foremost, the emergency services precinct — for too long the government has sat on their hands when it comes to investing in a new ambulance station and a new SES unit in Mansfield," she said. "It’s been over a decade the new builds have been required, and the government knows that, but they’ve failed to invest. "Less investment in the Cheltenham to Box Hill rail tunnels, and greater investment needed in infrastructure and projects — particularly roads — in regional Victoria. Noting recent government investment in Bindaree, Ms McLeish said more was still needed for Mansfield’s hospital, and also called for stronger support to tackle the region’s escalating wild dog problem. “It’d be great to get something for the hospital," she said. "And I would like to see greater investment in wild dog management. "There are far too few doggers across the north-east, and they can only do so much.” As the countdown begins, all eyes in the High Country will be on Spring Street to see whether the region’s calls for support are answered—or left to echo for another year.

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