Released on May 20, the budget’s service delivery document said funding was provided to upgrade regional roads and bridges to improve network efficiency, freight capacity, safety and travel times for road users.
But it only listed one road project for the region — the Goulburn Valley Hwy rest area project development.
Stage 1 of the Shepparton Bypass was one of the major Shepparton projects to not receive funding.
Planning for the bypass was funded in 2017 and the project has now been pushed to the middle of 2026.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Shane Sali said in general, the funding for regional cities wasn’t enough.
“For the state of Victoria to be strong, you need regional cities like Greater Shepparton to be prospering. More needs to be done by the Victorian Government to ensure this continues,” Cr Sali said.
State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell said families would be “deeply disappointed with this budget — they will pay more tax, but see little for the region in return”.
State Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad criticised the Victorian Government for its money management.
“Victorians are footing the bill for Labor’s financial mismanagement and will soon be paying nearly $30 million a day in interest repayments or more than $1 million every hour,” Ms Broad said.
“That money could be going to regional roads, schools, hospitals and local jobs.”
State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe said it was appalling agriculture funding had been cut by $77.6 million — almost 13 per cent — amid a drought in many areas of the state.
Treasurer and State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said to protect prime agricultural land, the Victorian Government would continue the fox bounty, as well as investing $9.2 million into pest animal management.
12°C