Independent Member for Indi Helen Haines has released her Indi Budget Submission ahead of the budget, to be handed down on Tuesday 25th March.
Dr Haines said that despite murmurs the government would not hand down a budget, she had forged ahead with the work and in consultation with local councils and other key stakeholders prepared a detailed submission outlining key funding priorities for Indi.
The key themes of Dr Haines’ Indi Budget Submission reflect the widespread concerns and policy priorities for Indi including regional housing supply, cost-of-living support, health, early education and care, climate change and energy, regional development and integrity.
Dr Haines’ detailed funding proposals have been created in partnership with local councils, Regional Development Australia (Hume Region), Alpine Resorts Victoria and local stakeholders including Albury Wodonga Health, TAFEs, Tourism North East and North East Water.
“The size of the asks underscores the importance of dedicated funding for regional and rural Australia,” Dr Haines said.
“My budget submission makes recommendations for measures that address needs across Indi.”
“Central to this submission are responses that will address the housing supply and affordability crisis, with councils identifying the lack of funds to build basic infrastructure a challenge to unlocking private investment in new builds.”
Dr Haines’ submission also includes measures to reduce cost-of-living pressures on households and small business and support regional Australia, such as:
- A $2 billion Regional Housing Infrastructure Fund over four years in regional Australia to unlock investment in new houses;
- Support for households to electrify through zero-interest loans;
- Reintroduction of the Small Business Energy Incentive for an additional three years;
- A dedicated regional health infrastructure fund;
- Increased funding for regional internet and mobile phone blackspots, community nodes, tower backups and cells on wheels; and
- An extension of the Renewable Heat Industrialisation Program to support manufacturing.
Dr Haines urged the government to make a significant contribution towards funding a greenfield, single site hospital on the border, noting the current state funding does not achieve recommendations detailed in the 2021 Clinical Services Plan.
“The inequity that persists in health across rural Australia is unacceptable and we know that as the population on our border grows, demand on the health service will only increase.
“By 2040 we will need a hospital capable of handling 150,000 emergency presentations, 40,000 surgeries and 1,900 births every year.
“We need planning and action towards meeting this demand to happen now.”
Dr Haines called on the government to increase funding to dedicated regional grant programs in response to growing need and rising costs.
“The regional Precincts and Partnerships and Growing Regions programs are two current government grant programs truly dedicated to regional development, but it needs greater investment.
“Applications deemed suitable for funding under the first round of the Growing Regions Program totalled $1.4 billion. However, the program only has $600 million to distribute, over two rounds of $300 million.
“Projects in Indi have secured funding through these programs, but others were unsuccessful despite being worthy because the funding pool is too small.”
Dr Haines submission lists priorities for each of Indi’s nine local governments, as well as regional development, alpine, water, health and tourism projects.
Speaking about some of the projects in the submission, Dr Haines said, “I work with local governments and community stakeholders to bring projects identified by each of our local governments to the attention of the Treasurer in the lead up to the budget.
“Funding to redevelop the Myrtleford Mountain View Children’s Centre would increase its capacity to cater for local families needing childcare.
“Benalla will be constrained if critical drainage work is not completed in the area to the west and northwest of Benalla.
“Wodonga’s population is set to double in the next 25 years and upgrading the civil infrastructure in the city centre will improve footpaths, renew green spaces and provide recreation opportunities.
“Strategic locations around Mansfield require roundabouts to improve traffic movement and road safety due to increased population growth and residential development.
“The Murrindindi Tourism, Accessibility and Road Safety Infrastructure package is critical for reducing road trauma and ensuring safe access for tourists, residents, and workers.
“The Greening Euroa Project taps into recycled water to irrigate public ovals, sporting grounds and parks and gardens in the summer months.
“A multipurpose integrated family and community centre in Corryong will deliver community, library, maternal child health care, and childcare services.
“Investment is required to enable the redevelopment of the remaining 2.5Ha of the former Ovens College site in Wangaratta to create a state-of-the-art housing precinct comprising key worker accommodation, social and affordable housing and a community hub.”
“Indigo Shire Council is working in partnership with Ambulance Victoria, CFA and the Children community to develop a shovel-ready Chiltern Community Precinct Master Plan for an 18-hectare parcel of land adjacent to the train station.”
Projects listed in the 2024 Indi Budget Submission that have received funding include the Benalla Art Gallery and Mansfield Station Precinct.
The full Indi Budget Submission, listing all projects can be found here.
ENDS