By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
DANDENONG has been neglected behind nearby neighbour Frankston in yesterday’s state budget, says Labor’s Dandenong MP John Pandazopoulos.
Mr Pandazopoulos said Dandenong received little new projects but instead ‘‘smoke and mirrors’’.
Projects such as the $67.8 million Dandenong Hospital mental health facility and a $10 million Dandenong High School, which received their final stages of funding were ‘‘previous year’s spending’’.
‘‘There’s a lot of hidden health and education cutbacks,’’ he said. ‘‘There’s much less money for rebuilding schools.’’
This week, the government announced $117 million in projects for the marginal Frankston seat, held by independent and former Liberal MP Geoff Shaw.
Frankston rail line will get a $100 million upgrade to take new Xtrapolis trains, whereas the busier Dandenong rail corridor receives $25 million for more frequent peak and off-peak trains.
‘‘$25 million is what they already spend on maintenance — there’s nothing new in that. It’s just smoke-and-mirrors,’’ Mr Pandazopoulos said.
A Dandenong South intermodal road-and-rail freight terminal, which has received federal money, remains unfunded in the state budget.
Mr Pandazopoulos said the ongoing delays for state funding would add to the project’s cost and run the risk of losing the federal contribution.
He said the state government had not added to the $290 million invested by the previous ALP government in the central Dandenong ‘revitalising’ project’.
With state developer Places Victoria moving out of its Dandenong office, Mr Pandazopoulos said central Dandenong was on the ‘‘hit list’’ for land sell-offs — an aspect ‘‘hidden’’ within the budget.
He said vacant sites in the Dandenong CBD were less likely to be ‘‘put to market for projects’’ but instead be ‘‘land-banked’’ by developers.
ALP and Lyndhurst MP Martin Pakula said the budget cut $20 million in trade bonuses for apprentices, failed to fund new schools or school maintenance, nor new bus services or road funding..
“The … government has delivered a budget which neglects the people of Lyndhurst.
‘‘This budget has again seen cuts to education, cuts to health and no new funding for roads in Lyndhurst.’’
Liberal south-eastern metropolitan MP Inga Peulich said services and infrastructure in the south-east were improved despite ‘‘difficult economic times’’.
The showcase item was a 230-bed Monash Children’s Hosptial — of an undisclosed cost — scheduled to be built by 2016. The Clayton-based hospital would treat 7000 children a year.
Ms Peulich said $9.9 million would be spent to rebuild and improve south-east schools, plus seed funding for electronic learning technology at Chishlom Tafe.
Liberal south-eastern metropolitan MP Gordon Rich-Phillips said the public-transport investment would make everyday travel easier for commuters.“Investment in public transport will ensure Melbourne remains one of the most liveable cities in the world”.
Eastern Transport Coalition, a public-transport lobby group comprising eastern metropolitan councils, said additional rail services on the Dandenong line was a ‘‘good start’’ .
However the line also needed extra tracks and signalling for reliable express services, efficient V-Line regional services and possible future freight services.
