Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh MP was in the Wellington Shire last Friday (June 9) to promote local measures from this year’s State Budget.
The Labor MP highlighted four local projects in the Wellington Shire – a new CFA station in Yarram, a $100,000 grant for Rosedale Neighbourhood House, an expanded pump track at Lion’s Park in Sale, and planning for a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Sale. “We’re investing in the things that matter in the Wellington Shire from mental health and emergency services to community connection and local sporting infrastructure – this budget delivers for the local area,” Mr McIntosh said.
All of these projects were commitments that the state government took to the election in November last year and received funding in the budget. The budget includes $3.2 million for a new CFA station in Yarram. This investment aims to boost the resources of the local CFA in Yarram and deliver the modern facilities they deserve, and builds on the more than 50 new and upgraded fire stations across the state.
Since 2016, land on Commercial Rd in Yarram sat readied for the construction of a new fire station. In March last year, Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, said the CFA had budgeted for the rebuild of the Yarram station in the 2023/24 financial year.
“I commend the CFA for finding the funding and note the Andrews Labor government remains absent from the field,” Mr O’Brien said on March 4 last year.
During the election campaign in November, Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing announced a $3.2 million investment for the new station pending a re-elected Labor government.
“There has been a lot of work going into the plans for this station, and I can’t wait to see it come to life,” Ms Shing said during her announcement. This prompted Mr O’Brien to criticise Labor for claiming credit for the fire station rebuild.
“That Labor is now trying to claim this is bizarre. I’ve been fighting for the new station in Yarram for more than seven years, and Harriet Shing has been nowhere to be seen,” he said at the time.
Mr McIntosh spoke about the $100,000 contribution for the Rosedale Neighbourhood House as he was flanked by Manager Jenni Monaghan and House users and volunteers. The funding will support activity at the House that promotes connection and lifelong learning in Rosedale and the surrounding area. Ms Shing had also announced this during last November’s election campaign.
Locals across Gippsland South will hone their BMX skills with a new dedicated pump track in a redeveloped Lions Park. The budget delivered up to $350,000 towards a track extension. Mr McIntosh said community sport is the lifeblood of regional Victoria, and the upgrade to Lions Park will offer improved facilities for local families, while providing a unique place for locals and visitors across the region to get active and come together. Sale will also be one of 50 places across Victoria to have a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Local, with funding in this year’s budget to commence planning the Sale centre. The new centre will provide free, easy-to-access care and support for adults with mental health concerns and alcohol and drug treatment.
The centres are a key recommendation of the Royal Commission and will remove barriers to treatment by connecting people to support without making them jump through hoops like a GP referral or meeting eligibility criteria. There is already a Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in the Latrobe Valley, and funding was also provided in this year’s budget to establish one in Leongatha.
Labor Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh MP with Rosedale Neighbourhood House Manager Jenni Monaghan and House users. Photos: Contributed
