Treasurer Tim Pallas handed down the 2023/24 Victorian budget on Tuesday, May 23.
The Gippsland Times is currently trawling through the budget papers and government statements to see what promises have been pledged for the Wellington Shire, some of which are listed below.
Full coverage can be found in this Friday’s issue.
Taxes for big earners
In response to debt accumulated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a so-called “COVID Debt Levy” will be introduced, paid for by the highest-earning Victorians.
Businesses with a national payroll of more than $10 million will pay additional payroll tax of 0.5 per cent, or 1 per cent if their national payroll exceeds $100 million.
Holiday-home owners and landlords are also said to be subject to the levy, which is expected to raise an extra $8.6 billion for the state’s finances over the next four years.
In justifying the levy, Treasurer Tim Pallas said that he doesn’t want debt to be a “dead weight” on the state’s economy.
Native timber harvesting ends early
The state government has brought forward the end date for native timber logging to January 1, 2024.
It had previously planned to phase out the practice by 2030.
A $200 million transition package has been announced to support workers and their families as they exit the industry.
Maffra Hospital upgrade
Budget papers indicate that the government will replace the JHF McDonald Wing and Residential Aged Care Wing of Maffra District Hospital with a new 30-bed facility as part of the Rural and Regional Public Sector Residential Aged Care Services (PSRACS) Revitalisation Strategy.
Other hospitals set to benefit elsewhere in the state include the Cohuna District Hospital and Numurkah Hospital.
The upgrade was a pre-election pledge by Premier Daniel Andrews, as reported by the Times in October last year; up to $70 million has been earmarked for the project.
Neighbourhood Houses spared
$62 million has been set aside by the state government to fund Community Participation Programs such as the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program, Men’s Sheds, Community Support and Community Finance initiatives.
This is slightly less than the 2022/23 figure of $65.9 million.
The Times had previously reported on the uncertainty with regard to ongoing state government funding for Neighbourhood Houses.
Yarram Fire Station
$34.2 million will provided to “redevelop local emergency service facilities” across the state, which includes a new fire station for the Country Fire Authority’s Yarram brigade.
Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriett Shing announced prior to the 2022 state election that $3.2 million would be put toward the project.
The new station will be built along Commercial Road.
The Times previously reported on the deteriorating James St building which the brigade presently calls home.
Funds for junior fishers
In another fulfilment of an election promise, $1.5 million will go towards a Little Anglers program, which will fund 60,000 Little Anglers Kits to primary school-aged children across Victoria.
The kits will include a fishing rod, tackle box and a Kids’ Guide To Fishing booklet, which includes information about where to go fishing, how to contact local clubs and links to resources to get children into the sport.
