Services and infrastructure sought in Thursday’s Budget
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Services and infrastructure sought in Thursday’s Budget

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said he was hoping for improvements to certain services and some infrastructure projects to be announced in this Thursday’s State Budget.

“There are certainly some projects we want to knock off the list for sure, but not all are infrastructure and there are certain areas of public service where we simply need to do better,” he said.

“As an example, I would hope we see a commitment to upgrade V/Line trains to make all carriages accessible to those with a disability.

“Local people with special needs have reported waiting hours stranded in the cold at stations waiting for replacement taxis because trains weren’t properly fitted out, despite having requested disability access when the tickets were booked.

“We need funds to fix the issue and a new system in place in the interim to better inform passengers.

Caption: Tim Bull, State MP for Gippsland East, is calling for a funding commitment in this week’s State Budget, that will improve disability access on existing V/Line services.

Monday, 17 May 2021

“I would also like to see the funds committed to make sure all our bushfire recovery is completed by the September school holidays. If money is the hold up, as we are hearing, then that needs to be addressed.”

Mr Bull said from an infrastructure perspective the need to build stage two of the Bairnsdale Secondary College still existed as it was imperative to have all students on one campus, a new Orbost police station to replace the out of date existing facility, funds to widen the Princes Highway between Stratford and Bairnsdale to alleviate the problem of lack of width between the barriers, and some movement on the Maffra Hospital upgrade.

“These are all projects that need addressing and there are many more, this is just a snapshot.

“I am well aware you never get everything you are seeking, but it would be good to get a couple of these projects funded. All we are asking for is our fair share, so let’s hope that is forthcoming, especially with what we have been through in 2020,” said Mr Bull.