THE State Government has announced not one new funding infrastructure project for the Mount Gambier district in the 2017-18 state budget, despite unveiling a record spending spree in metropolitan areas.
This comes as a major blow to the region, which has been crying out for an expansion of the renal dialysis unit at Mount Gambier Hospital, the progression of the Penola bypass and drug rehabilitation services.
The government even listed $1.1m for the Mount Gambier Airport in its budget regional snapshot, which is an old announcement linked to its proposed upgrade.
It is also unclear whether any money will flow to the proposed multi-million dollar forestry institute given it was not listed as a key project under the Limestone Coast spending.
Forestry Minister Leon Bignell’s office could not give details about this other than the government poured $500,000 into forestry research each year.
This will come as a major blow to the Federal Government, which has committed $2m to establishing a research centre at the University of SA’s Mount Gambier campus.
In fact, the budget papers yesterday suggested a $2m cut in the South East Forestry Partnerships Program.
But the government did announce $38m to operate 160 news beds at the Mount Gambier Prison, which is now one of the state’s largest correctional facilities.
The prison has been the biggest winner of state budget funding in recent years.
A furious Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell has slammed Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis and his Labor colleagues for “ignoring” the Limestone Coast and Blue Lake city.
“There is absolutely nothing new in this – all the money is being spent in metropolitan Adelaide,” Mr Bell said from State Parliament.
“This government has hit an all-time low. I am absolutely disgusted – there is nothing in this budget.”
The Liberal MP said the neglect from the government was appalling and it now must be held to account.
“This would be a very challenging document to defend,” Mr Bell said.
In a budget statement, Mr Koutsantonis spruiked his $2.2b infrastructure spending agenda that focused predominately on metropolitan areas.
“The budget includes a record $2.2b in general government infrastructure spending for this year, leading to an overall investment of $9.5b over the next four years,” the state treasurer said.
“We are investing $1.1b extra in health, including funding to upgrade the state’s suburban hospitals and a commitment to build a new Adelaide Women’s Hospital, connected to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital.”
Two new schools will be built, under a public-private partnership, to meet demand arising from strong population growth in the north and south of Adelaide.
The State Government has also committed to its share of $674m to get on with other key infrastructure projects, including the next stage of the South Road upgrade between Pym Street and Regency Road and the second stage of the electrification of the Gawler rail line from Salisbury to Gawler.
The budget also commits $305m for the first stage of the duplication of Main South Road from Seaford to Sellicks Beach, $15m for new Park ‘n’ Ride facilities at Klemzig and Tea Tree Plaza
interchanges.
