Bendigo council wants $10 million from the state to expand the Golden Dragon Museum and believes the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund could be the way to do it.
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It hopes the fund will be topped up in Monday's State Budget, just as previous governments have done in the first budget after elections, City of Greater Bendigo CEO Craig Niemann said.
The fund, which councils rely on to pay for big projects, is about to run out.
A replenished fund could also be where the council finds $4.5 million to redevelop the Bendigo Airport terminal.
Victoria's peak tourism body yesterday called on the government to fund the airport terminal in the 2019 budget, which would help Qantas expand flights and help the building meet aviation and safety standards.
The project would help the Bendigo tourism industry bring more people to the region and create 53 jobs once operational, Victoria Tourism Industry Council Chief Executive Felicia Mariani said.
"Importantly, it means that our regional offerings, outside of two hours around Melbourne, become more accessible for overnight stays and increased spend by our visitors," she said.
The Bendigo council did not expect the airport to be mentioned in the budget, Mr Niemann said.
It was not promised during the 2018 campaign and governments tended to use their post-election budgets to spend on what they had promised, Mr Niemann said.
Rebuilding the Bendigo Law Courts topped the council's wishlist, Mr Neimann said.
He hopes to see a raft of major projects funded in time for the new financial year, including knocking down two ageing Bendigo health tower buildings.
The $60 million project would see a new day rehabilitation centre built.
"There also was mention (during the election) of new train stations at Huntly, Goornong and Raywood," Mr Niemann said.
"It might be planning money, or detail of what they propose to do. We just want to see those projects restated, really."
Here's what Bendigo was told to expect when Labor won in 2018:
The promises:
- 90 new paramedics, 1100 new nurses Rochester and Inglewood ambulance stations to have two fully trained paramedics in their ambulances under a $109 million package
- A $2.5-million new fire station at Junortoun
The promises:
- $60 million for a new day rehabilitation centre at Bendigo Health Two ageing tower buildings at Anne Caudle Centre to be demolished and a new day rehabilitation centre established
- 27,000 more specialist appointments in Bendigo
- $49.5 million for 100,000 hours of respite care for carers
- $13.2 million for a royal commission into mental health
- $32 million for public IVF services
- $250 million for Regional Health Infrastructure Fund
- Free dental care at public schools as part of a 395.8 million project
- Free tampons and pads in public schools
The promises:
- $4.5 million for East Loddon P-12 refurbishment
- $150,000 for Epsom Primary School outdoor shelter
- Building Better TAFEs Fund Victoria's TAFEs to be rebuilt and upgraded under a $220 million program
- $5 billion to cover 15 hours of kindergarten for three-year-olds
The promises:
- $152.4 million to rebuild the Bendigo Law Courts
- $2 million for Harry Trott reserve
- $250,000 for Strathfieldsaye Scouts
- $330,000 for Kangaroo Flat Bowling Club
- $250,000 for Neangar Park Golf Club pitch 'n putt golf course
The promise:
- $21.8 million for Baby Bundle packages for new parents
The promises:
- $1 million for Renewable Newstead
- $10 million grants program for small-scale agribusinesses that produce craft food and beverages
- $82 million over 10 years for 50,000 solar rebates for renters
- $105.6 million over four years to create more campgrounds and to improve four-wheel-drive and walking tracks
- Permanent fracking ban (+$1 million for clean food marketing)
- Renewable Energy Target 50 per cent by 2030
The promises:
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Cassandra Dalgleish
Digital specialist at the Bendigo Advertiser, via Wimmera Mail-Times, Stawell Times-News and Ararat Advertiser. Formerly a news journalist and sub-editor. I do the behind-the-scenes work to help journalists bring their stories to life online.
Digital specialist at the Bendigo Advertiser, via Wimmera Mail-Times, Stawell Times-News and Ararat Advertiser. Formerly a news journalist and sub-editor. I do the behind-the-scenes work to help journalists bring their stories to life online.
Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
