By DANIELLE GALVIN
ESTABLISHING an interface development fund for growth councils is the top priority ahead of the State Election, according to Cardinia Shire Council CEO Garry McQuillan.
In the lead-up to the State Budget and the election on 29 November, the council has been lobbying both sides to deliver their wish list for Cardinia.
Mr McQuillan spoke to the Gazette about the council’s big ticket items including:
– $1.5 million for Stage One of the Lang Lang Bypass
– $1 million for an overhaul of the bus services including increasing the 926 route from Pakenham to Fountain Gate and extending the Night Rider bus service from Beaconsfield to Pakenham
– Continued funding for integrated children’s services hubs
The campaign for improved services and infrastructure began a year ago, and Mr McQuillan said while the council wouldn’t “get it all” they were well-represented in the budget.
“The main thing we have been advocating on is railway crossing duplication for McGregor Road, we are starting those works shortly, Lang Lang Bypass and the Beaconsfield interchange – they are our three main road projects,” Mr McQuillan said.
“We may have to put Cardinia Road in there – we are not sure if there is going to be enough money for that.
“In terms of bus services – we would look to improve bus services to create the minimum standard to bring us in line with metropolitan Melbourne.
“We have been working with the Kooweerup Regional Health Service for a parenting facility in Kooweerup which would service Cardinia and the region.”
Mr McQuillan said the interface councils that formed a ring around metropolitan Melbourne would lobby the Napthine Government for an established, guaranteed line of funding.
“We have been advocating very strongly for a fund for the interface group of councils, the outer ring of councils, a dedicated fund to help deliver timely infrastructure and community recreational facilities,” he said.
“The Labor (Party) has promised that – we haven’t seen the detail on that yet.”
While Mr McQuillan said the council has had access to similar grants, they were unable to apply for funding through the Regional Development fund.
“Cardinia is classified as metropolitan, so we have been trying to say Cardinia’s growth corridor is metropolitan but the rest should be rural – that has been a bit of an issue for us,” he said.
