A new hospital for West Gippsland remains the premier priority for the Committee for Gippsland’s Victorian State Budget Submission, along with a focus on resource security, rail infrastructure and Latrobe Valley carbon transitioning.
“Since 2011, the Committee for Gippsland’s number one strategic priority has been a new hospital for West Gippsland, acknowledging the rapid population increase across Baw Baw Shire and the struggle for the region’s health infrastructure to keep pace with this growth,” Committee for Gippsland CEO Mary Aldred said.
The submission also builds on the work of the Committee for Gippsland’s Our Region Our Future strategy, released in July 2016. It remains the only comprehensive set of analysis and large-scale local input to a set of priorities and recommendations that help the region through the closure of Hazelwood power station. These include a suite of shovel ready infrastructure projects that provide jobs in the short term and fast track industry diversification and investment attraction to the region longer term.
Upgrading infrastructure and services along the Gippsland rail corridor is a major priority, with the Committee for Gippsland urging the Victorian Government to work with the Commonwealth Government on securing funding and delivering urgent rail priorities.
A Connectivity Infrastructure Master Plan for the region, mapping out digital and phone connectivity is also called for. The project would provide a set of recommendations to government, as well as up-to-date data and encouraging commercial signals to businesses looking at Gippsland as an investment destination.
Investing in new technology to ensure energy reliability and affordability in the stationary energy sector, as well as a future for commercial coal products is highlighted, with reference to the Victorian Government’s soon to be released Coal Policy.
Transport infrastructure remains key, with a focus on road upgrades. “There is a renewed call for a Traralgon Bypass, as the largest remaining town in Gippsland without a Bypass. This would provide amenity and safety benefits for commuters, as well as freight efficiencies for industry,” said Ms Aldred.
Higher education is also a priority, with a call to update the 2011 Gippsland Tertiary Education Review to provide an up-to-date set of data and recommendations that would be significant assistance in tailoring government priorities through Latrobe Valley carbon transitioning.