Budget’s

By Melissa Meehan
FUNDING for the Dingley Arterial and expansion of mental health services at Dandenong Hospital are the highlights of the State Budget for Greater Dandenong.
The government pledged $74.6 million for the 3.5 kilometre Dingley Arterial to connect the South Gippsland Highway to Westall Road which will begin in 2010, securing up to 200 jobs in construction.
The Dingley Arterial will reduce congestion in central Dandenong and open access to growing industrial hubs like Keysborough, a major boon for the area.
Dandenong Hospital will receive $66 million to meet the need for mental health services in the south-east.
Southern Health CEO Shelly Park said the package was great news for the community.
“We know mental illness is one of the greatest challenges facing our communities and this development will go a long way to meeting real community need,” she said.
Dandenong’s Chisholm Institute will also share in $38.7 million funding for Commonwealth Projects with Building W ear-marked for an upgrade; a heavy pumper for Dandenong CFA as part of the $21 million CFA Fleet Replacement funding; replacement of muster room workstations and repainting of the Dandenong Police Station; an $85.9 millon smart bus program to extend Route 109 to Melbourne Airport; and $10 million in Keysborough/Springvale Regeneration for Springvale, Heatherhill, Chandler, Coomoora Secondary colleges.
Funding for the third stage of Dandenong High School’s redevelopment was not mentioned and there was no allocation for the Noble Park Swim Centre redevelopment, following the announcement of federal funding for the project.
City of Greater Dandenong CEO John Bennie spoke to Star on Monday highlighting the council’s wish list.
Unfortunately funding for more school crossing supervisors, funding for the Noble Park Pool and fixing the “Spaghetti Junction” at Springvale Road and Princes Highway, all part of councils wish list, were not included in the budget.
“We are the first to recognise the challenges facing the state,” Mr Bennie said.
“They have been very understanding of City of Greater Dandenong’s needs.”