Greater Shepparton left behind in latest Victorian budget, says Lovell

By Shepparton News

May 8, 2024

Budget woes: Wendy Lovell says Greater Shepparton has missed out on funding. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell says Greater Shepparton will miss out on needed infrastructure funding in the 2024-25 Victorian budget.

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Ms Lovell called the budget a “huge disappointment” for families in Greater Shepparton, with tax increases from the fire services levy set to increase from $847 million in total to $1.433 billion in total, and the waste levy set to more than double from $64.55 to $169.79 per tonne as of July 1, 2025.

Many projects in Greater Shepparton have been delayed in the budget, including funding for the Early Parenting Centre in Shepparton completion date being pushed back to 2026.

Stage three of the Shepparton rail line upgrade now has no firm completion date, and the redevelopment of Goulburn Valley Health is now listed as complete, with stage two of the project no longer being delivered.

Ms Lovell said Greater Shepparton had missed out on funding for many crucial regional projects, including the Shepparton Sports and Events Centre, stage one of the Shepparton bypass, the Clinical Health School, regional road maintenance and upgrades and a new crossing for Kialla West Primary School.

“Less than one per cent of the estimated $216 billion cost of the Suburban Rail Loop could deliver all the major projects that Greater Shepparton residents were hoping for, but the Labor Government has let down the regions once again,” she said.