In a welcome departure from its usual habit of ignoring the Mornington Electorate in the State Budget the Victorian Government has finally funded two desperately needed local projects.
After more than ten years of campaigning the Government has committed to re-build Mornington Special Development School, committing “at least $6.769 million” in today’s state budget. But students, parents and teachers shouldn’t be expecting immediate action as only a fraction of the funds allocated to the program will be spent in the next financial year. The budget papers show an “estimated completion date” of December 2025.
Despite the likely delay I am delighted the Government has finally seen sense. For too long this school has had to make do with sub-standard temporary accommodation, and no guarantee that the school would even remain on the current site. This announcement provides the certainty the school needs to confidently plan for the future.
The budget also provides funding for “critical works” on Mornington’s Fisherman’s Jetty which has been “temporarily closed” since 2020. The extent of the funding was not disclosed in the budget papers, so whether there will be enough money to actually re-open the jetty, or even when the works will be undertaken, remains uncertain. In spite of these misgivings I am pleased the Government has finally responded to my repeated calls for action.
These small wins are long overdue, but too many desperately needed projects were overlooked in this budget including:
- Action to fix congestion on Bungower Road and Mornington-Tyabb Road
- Desperately needed safety works at the intersections of Forest Drive and Uralla Road with Nepean Highway in Mount Martha
- Long overdue and much needed investment in Mornington Park Primary School and Mount Eliza Secondary College
- No funding to back the Shire’s commitment to the Peninsula Trail between Moorooduc and Mornington.
This year’s state budget was pretty much what we’ve come to expect in the Mornington Electorate – not a whole lot!