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Newham upgrade in budget
Barry Kennedy
12May08
A $2 million upgrade to Newham Primary School was the biggest single project announced for the Macedon Ranges in the State Budget last week.
The school was one of 10 in the state to benefit from $18 million put aside for small rural schools. Macedon state Labor MP Joanne Duncan said the funds would modernise facilities.
Bendigo line rail passengers will benefit from a $7.4 million safety upgrade of the line and share in 22 new middle carriages.
The Romsey police station will receive a $40,000 security upgrade while Macedon Ranges Council will share in local government funding including the $6 million Regional Food Kitchen and expanded Dispute Resolution Services.
But Opposition spokesman for police and emergency services Andrew McIntosh said police resources continued to be too low to combat rising crime.
"Sadly Labor has again refused to increase police numbers, choosing to ignore the record levels of violence and massive levels of police stress we've experienced in the last two years," he said.
Ms Duncan said $1.75 billion would fund 350 extra police but deployment was up to police command.
Funding for road projects was also roundly criticised by opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder, who said the average peak-hour speed for commuters was now 45km/h.
Ms Duncan said funding had been committed to a $4 million safety upgrade to the Lancefield Sunbury Rd.
