Budget drama

By Tania Martin and Casey Neill
TWO vital hills projects have been left hanging in the balance after falling victim to more than $2.6 million in federal government cuts.
These cuts were made public last week following the release of the 2008-09 Federal Budget.
Funding for Burrinja’s performing arts centre and the upgrade of the Montrose Recreation Reserve were just two projects that were dumped under the axing of the Regional Partnerships program.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges and local MPs have vowed to fight to have federal government funding for the two projects reinstated.
Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Anthony Albanese said the program was closed due to the maladministration of the previous government following recommendations from independent body the National Audit Office.
“This was the only option available to the government,” he said.
Mr Albanese said any projects that had not been contracted would not receive funding.
Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff said the shire was partly to blame for the funding loss.
He said the shire did not work hard enough to get the final go-ahead on the project.
“We have failed badly, I’m embarrassed for our part in it,” he said.
The previous Liberal government announced $2 million for the performing arts centre in August last year.
However, the Rudd government last week announced the cancellation of the partnership program, along with any projects that were not signed off on.
The $9.6 million community project would include a 400-seat auditorium, indigenous cultural education garden, and vast improvements to the studios, indigenous and community galleries, rehearsal and workshop spaces.
The shire has allocated $4.6 million to the project while the state government has committed $3 million.
“The feds have let us down,” Cr Cliff said.
Cr Cliff said the shire had already spent $130,000 on the project so far.
“It’s an absolutely disgusting waste of money,” he said. In parliament last week, La Trobe MP Jason Wood said that the Burrinja project had great community and bipartisan support.
“The appalling way in which Labor has handled this matter has galvanised the local community,” he said.
More than $600,000 was also slashed from the Montrose Recreation Reserve upgrade which was to be used to redevelop the sporting pavilion and resurface the tennis courts.
The shire had allocated $710,000 to the project, the state government $380,000, and local sporting clubs $160,000.
Walling Ward councillor Len Cox said the decision to slash the funds was ludicrous.
“This is an insult to the community and everyone who uses the reserve.”
Casey MP Tony Smith said it was outrageous that the Rudd government had chosen not to honour the funding because the contracts had not been signed.
Mr Smith said he would hold the government to account for this decision and continue to fight for the funding.
Burrinja will hold a community protest event on Thursday 29 May at the cultural centre from 8pm.
Meetings will also be held with the Montrose community in coming weeks.