Infrastructure funding will be the focus for Ballarat in this year's federal budget.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As regional Victoria emerges from coronavirus lockdowns, there are hopes the federal government will commit to several longer term projects as well as more immediate stimulus boosts for roads and rail, to help regrow the economy.
While details on tax plans for middle-income earners have already leaked, and the federal government has announced $1.1 billion in rail and road spending for Geelong, Warrnambool, and elsewhere in Victoria, it's hoped Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will also find $11 million to begin stage two of the Ballarat Link Road.
READ MORE: Faster tax cuts and road funding in budget
The Committee for Ballarat's chief executive, Michael Poulton, said in a statement the Link Road needed "urgent" budget support.
He also called for the federal government to lock in a new rail tunnel connecting regional trains to Southern Cross Station, linking to the proposed Melbourne Airport Rail Link.
Following investments on other regional lines, he said it was critical for the regional network to generate more jobs and billions of dollars.
"The project is costed, technically achievable, will free up congestion through Melbourne's booming west and deliver a world class traveller experience for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link. It's a project that has previously committed state and federal government financial commitment," he said.
"The Committee for Ballarat is calling on the federal government, through the budget process, to provide the additional funds necessary so the state can deliver the project including the tunnel.
"Without a tunnel, the reality for Regional Rail will only ever be at best, fast rail to Melbourne's metropolitan fringe."
There is also an opportunity for the federal government to support a proposed training centre for renewable energy jobs at Federation University TAFE, which would help keep more locals employed longer-term.
"In the immediate future, the Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Tech-Transition Centre Centre will train a locally-based renewable energy workforce to replace the current reliance on a fly-in, fly-out workforce," he said.
"APRETCentre, through its association with the university, will expand into higher education pathways, and together with industry, develop research opportunities."
Mr Poulton also called for an electric vehicle incentive scheme, lowering registration and insurance costs and introducing a purchaser subsidy, as well as a commitment to "rapidly" increase the number of charging stations in the regions.
Other medium-term projects include providing money for the Intermodal Freight Hub at the Ballarat West Employment Zone, and using the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative announced last week to explore the region's potential to develop "green" hydrogen, which Mr Poulton said would capitalise on "our significant capacity" in wind power.
"The Central Highlands and Ballarat could be a regional technology hub for the development and supplying hydrogen as an energy source," he said.
Commerce Ballarat chairman Nick Thurlbeck echoed calls for the federal government to fund the Ballarat Link Road, which would get more freight out of the CBD and ease north-south congestion on Dyson Drive.
"Austerity's not going to be the answer with the country going into recession and there's no doubt the government will need to spend, and Commerce Ballarat welcomes any opportunities for infrastructure projects throughout the region, because it means jobs," he said.
"Any support for business - and in particular small to medium business - is not only welcomed, it's absolutely essential to help them get through what is going to be a really difficult and tough time over the coming years.
"We'd hope that comes through in many different forms, from infrastructure spending, tax cuts, but we're very hopeful the government will have a significant focus on business."
The federal government's JobKeeper program should be expanded in Victoria, he added, with the devastating effects of the second lockdown continuing to be felt even as businesses begin to reopen.
"There's no doubt in particular Victorian businesses are going to be so heavily reliant on the JobKeeper program to keep their employees in work," he said.
"In Victoria, because of its far-extended lockdown periods, businesses within Victoria are months behind the rest of the country.
"If the federal government reconsidered the JobKeeper program specifically for Victoria, it would be very welcome."
Federal Ballarat MP and shadow Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said in a statement the budget needed to reflect that Australia was in a recession, and creating and protecting jobs must be the government's "biggest priority right now".
"The government needs to invest in projects and people across the country, rather than just focusing on the electorates that benefit them," she said.
"It is time to invest in major infrastructure projects like faster rail, as well as smaller projects that create jobs and make a real difference to local communities.
"This should include social housing, smaller road upgrades, and those projects that make our communities better places to live.
IN THE NEWS
"There are many such projects across the Ballarat region that could be funded, including stage two of the Ballarat Link Road, the Bacchus Marsh Aquatic Centre and upgrades to important community facilities like the Ballarat Foundation.
"Importantly, it is essential that projects like these are delivered now, not years down the line."
The City of Ballarat is currently under caretaker mode and was unable to comment.
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.
