By JESSE GRAHAM
THE hills will benefit from over $5 million in new infrastructure under this year’s Federal Budget, with two hubs set to be established in Belgrave and Emerald.
On Friday 15 May, La Trobe MP Jason Wood announced over $15 million in funding secured for the electorate under the National Stronger Relations Fund.
Of that funding, $3.835 million was confirmed for a Multi-Purpose Health Hub in Belgrave, as well as $1.5 million for a community hub in Emerald.
Mr Wood said the Belgrave hub would be a “one-stop health hub” for communities surrounding the town, with Yarra Ranges Council groups and other external groups based under one roof.
Yarra Ranges Youth Services, Maternal and Child Health, Aged and Disability Services, Inspiro and the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Services will all be located in the hub, which will sit at the current Youth Services site next to the Cameo Theatre.
The funding accompanies $1 million in State Government funding in last year’s budget, and the Yarra Ranges Council has said it would fund the remaining costs for the $8.3 million building.
Yarra Ranges Council director of Social and Economic Development Ali Wastie said the grant was the largest community infrastructure grant the council had ever received.
The Emerald hub, meanwhile, will replace the existing Mechanic’s Hall and will provide space for the University of the Third Age (U3A), Men’s Shed, and 3MDR Community Radio, among other features.
“This is a great boost for the area,” Mr Wood said.
“I hope to work with already existing local GPs to make sure that this project (the Belgrave hub) is successful.”
The area will have Roads to Recovery funding doubled, with $3.3 million going to the Yarra Ranges Shire region, $2.3 million in the Cardinia Shire area and $1 million for the City of Knox.
Meanwhile, Emerald Primary School’s Basketball Centre will receive $500,000 under the budget, through the Community Development Grants Programme.
Mr Wood said the announcements and investments would “strengthen communities in La Trobe” by bolstering economic growth, productivity and employment.
For more information on the budget, and articles from all three recently-released budgets, see mail.starcommunity.com.au.
