Better schools, more train services, safer roads and more maternity services for our booming population are the centrepiece of a record $3.2 billion infrastructure allocation in the 2008-09 State Budget, the Treasurer, John Lenders, said today.
Mr Lenders said the record $3.2 billion infrastructure investment and the strong surplus of $828million – and an average of $907 million over the next three years – showed the Brumby Labor Government was taking action now on key services and infrastructure for working families, while also saving to address the challenges of the future.
“Working families across Victoria will benefit from the Brumby Labor Government’s record investment in schools, trains, roads, hospitals and other key services,” Mr Lenders said.
“And they will benefit in the future, with our Government setting and exceeding a new, higher surplus target of at least one per cent of revenue.
“This new target and our strong surpluses are the products of prudent financial management and ensure the Brumby Labor Government has the capacity to deal with the challenges of the future, such as future transport investments.
“Today’s surplus is tomorrow’s infrastructure.
“For the ninth year in a row we will deliver a budget surplus of at least $100 million, have earned our AAA credit rating and ensured we can build jobs and strong liveable communities across Victoria.”
Mr Lenders said the 2008-09 State Budget provided a record $1.8 billion for vital transport infrastructure and services to take action to deal with the massive growth in public transport patronage and road congestion.
“The Brumby Labor Government’s $794.1 million investment in public transport will give 5000 more people access to peak morning train services,” Mr Lenders said.
“Public transport patronage is up 20 per cent over the past two years and our Government is bringing forward investment in the public transport network – with this Budget delivering more than $429 million in projects above and beyond the $10.5 billion Meeting Our Transport Challenges 10 year plan.
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to improve and increase capacity in the public transport network across the State,” he said.
The Budget will invest $239.8 million into freight and port access projects across the state.
Mr Lenders said key road projects under the Brumby Labor Government’s $769.7 million roads package included $224 million to upgrade rural and regional roads, $85.3 million for outer metropolitan road improvements and $46.6 million for road based congestion measures.
“Through our $769.7 million roads package, our Government is taking action in the short and medium term to relieve congestion on our roads and to improve road safety,” Mr Lenders said.
Mr Lenders said the Brumby Labor Government had opened up for community consultation Sir Rod Eddington’s report on Melbourne’s East-West traffic needs and would respond to the report by the end of this year, as previously announced.
Other highlights of this year’s infrastructure investments include:
