Vol. No. Vol. 2518No. 4527
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BY ABBY WALTER
ompletion of the next stages of the Western Highway duplication project between Stawell and Ballarat remain unknown after the release of the State Budget yesterday.
The budget outlined the duplication and bypass projects in capital programs with ‘to be confirmed’ completion dates. The 2022-23 budget showed, under a rural and regional roads package, the Western Highway Ararat bypass and Beaufort bypass planning and pre-construction with a completion date of quarter four, 2023. The Western Highway duplication – Ballarat to Stawell project did not have a completion date in last year’s budget due to legal challenges. Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said the project appeared to be pushed out by at least another 12 months. “It’s bitterly disappointing. It’s about safety for our drivers and preventing horrific collisions on the main connection between Adelaide and Melbourne,” she said. Labor Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said the State Government was awaiting the Commonwealth Infrastructure Investment Program review on the funding. “We’re keen to get on and deliver the duplication project between Ararat and Stawell,” she said. ‘We are waiting on the results of the review before we can confirm the next steps.”
Estimated expenditure on an Ararat bypass to June 30 this year is $6.2 million and $9 million for a Beaufort bypass, including $24 million of Federal Government funding across both projects. Estimated expenditure for 2023-24 is $790,000 for an Ararat bypass and $2.14 million for a Beaufort bypass. Estimated expenditure on the duplication from Ballarat to Stawell to June 30 this year is $589 million. The theme of the 2023-24 budget was ‘Doing what matters for Victoria’. Ms Kealy said the budget fulfilled several projects in the region promised ahead of the 2022 election. “St Brigid’s College in Horsham will receive funding as part of a bigger planning package for non-government schools. In the same announcement, funding was promised to St Patrick’s Primary School in Stawell, but I am not sure why that wasn’t in the budget,” she said. “It was great to see an early learning centre in Murtoa in the budget – it is a huge relief for that community to get that up. “It is needed and will allow parents to return to work in key industries including healthcare and agriculture in our communities. “The Stawell Gift will receive about $1.7 million over the next four years, about $400,000 a year, which is not quite as much as they asked for, but will give the iconic footrace security to continue.” Continued page 3
Wednesday, January 13, 2023 2016 Wednesday, May 24,
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MILESTONE: AFL Wimmera Mallee Umpires Ash Wright and Cameron Pickering will have umpired a combined 1500 football games by the end of this weekend, marking 700 and 800-game milestones, respectively, at Warracknabeal’s Anzac Park. Warrack Eagles and Stawell will battle it out in a blockbuster round seven in Wimmera league. Story, page 47. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
IN THIS ISSUE • Councils outline budgets • Trout to restore Toolondo • Football-netball action artisanHP 0787
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