The state government has handed down its budget for the next financial year billed as a budget ‘helping families’ with new schools funded in the Geelong region.
The budget didn’t include any new announcements for the Geelong region, however Western Victoria MP Gayle Tierney reaffirmed on Tuesday morning the government’s commitment to build the Horseshoe Bend and Warralily primary schools, set to open in 2026.
“Backing in families in fast growing areas, backing in families in Geelong is incredibly important,” Ms Tierney said.
“It means that with schools close by to our homes, that we can be rest assured that the fabric of community can thrive.
“This is in recognition of the fast growing population that we have in that part of the Geelong region.
“So it’s very appropriate that we get ahead of this and make sure we’ve got schools in our growing areas.”
Meantime, $11.1 million has been invested or locally-driven projects across regional Victoria including the Farm My School program on the Bellarine Peninsula that will teach kids about growing healthy food.
An investment of $90.4 million towards sport and entertainment venues will see the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust gets $4.1 million, while the investment also prepares for the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre opening in 2026.
The Budget also invests $133.4 million towards the V/Line network, which includes upgrading the 150-year-old rail tunnel between Geelong and South Geelong.
Although the budget didn’t reveal any further funding for increased services to Geelong-Warrnambool line, while doubling of weekend train services to Geelong promised in the last budget will come in 2025.
It’s also been officially confirmed that the fast rail project for Geelong has been canned, with concern about commitments to other transport connections to fast-growing communities and there is no funding for regional roads around Geelong.
