Shire forgotten

TREASURER Jaclyn Symes’ first state budget boasts much for northern Victoria but appears to deliver little for the Strathbogie Shire apart from statewide energy discounts. Ms Symes said in a statement that the government was committed to regional and rural families and would help with the cost of living and invest in frontline services. "With this budget - my first as Treasurer - we’re focused on what matters most to Victorian families,” Ms Symes said. “That means real help with the cost of living and more investment in frontline services.” Ms Symes - the state's first female treasurer - handed down the budget on Tuesday 20 May. A spokesperson for Ms Symes told The Euroa Gazette there had not been any specific projects for the Strathbogie Shire outlined in the budget but that local residents could benefit from the 'record' cost-of-living relief that is being funded statewide. The spokesperson outlined the almost-completed Longwood Football Netball Club rooms, an upgrade to the Nagambie mechanics Institute (through the Tiny Towns Fund), and a forthcoming Kinder-on-School site at Nagambie Primary School The biggest benefit for Strathbogie Shire residents was the state-wide investment of $331.9m on a range of initiatives to lower household power bills, building on nearly $10m over four years for energy affordability initiatives including last year’s Energy Assistance Program. The program offers free one-on-one assistance for customers having trouble paying their energy bills, includes a 17.5 per cent discount on annual electricity and winter gas bills for concession card holders, or utility relief grants of up to $650 per utility every two years to Victorians unable to pay their bills. The budget also delivers more rebates of up to $400 for energy efficient heat pumps and solar hot water systems and $50m is being invested to save concession card-holding residents a further $100 on energy costs. The program is being delivered by Anglicare Victoria. Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said every family in Victoria could benefit from the program. “So many families are doing it tough,” Ms D’Ambrosio said. “We’re delivering real help with energy bills for families who need it with this free service which has already saved Victorians millions. "This is part of our plan to bring down every Victorian family’s energy bills – by investing in cheap, clean renewable energy and helping families make their homes more energy efficient.” In other budget initiatives, four schools in northern Victoria will benefit from a total of over $26m for building upgrades, including schools in Wangaratta and Broadford. As part of a $52m package to improve regional train services, the Albury line will see an extra service per day to and from Seymour during peak times. No extra services are being provided between Seymour to Albury. Free public transport for Victorians under 18 years will come into effect on 1 January 2026 and will save up to $755 per child per year for families. Seniors will also benefit from free statewide public transport on weekends from next year. Despite growing mass protest from CFA volunteers over the ESVF levy, the only brigade upgrade mentioned in the budget statement is for a satellite station at Leitchville, west of Echuca. Free kinder has been boosted with an additional $2bn investment to continue helping over 150,000 families statewide. In agriculture, the government is investing $250,000 to continue the Rural Women’s Leadership and Mentoring Program, and the fox bounty will continue along with a further $9.2m for pest animal management. The government is also spending a further $18m on the previously trialed Community Pharmacy Pilot to enable pharmacists to treat more Victorians with more conditions, saving patients trips to the GP. Pharmacies will be able to treat free of charge, more conditions with medicines usually only available with a GP script – including allergies, nausea, high blood pressure, and minor wound care, with more conditions added progressively over the next two years. For assistance with energy bills: call an EAP energy advocate on 1800 161 215. To find the cheapest energy bill offer visit compare.energy.vic.gov.au or call 1800 000 832.

Shire forgotten

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