Greater Geelong council has welcomed a number of new funding allocations for the Bellarine Peninsula region, including funding to acquire land for a new primary school in Charlemont and upgrades to the intersection of the Bellarine Highway and Moolap Station Road in Moolap.
Greater Geelong deputy mayor Trent Sullivan said the budget announcement for land for a new primary school and a $500 million to $525 million allocation to a new women’s and children’s hospital was welcome news.
“Funding to acquire land for a new primary school in Charlemont will alleviate enrolment pressures on surrounding schools and make sure that families with young kids can access quality education close to home,” he said.
“The investment of more than $500 million in a world-class women’s and children’s hospital will boost Geelong’s appeal for young families and deliver quality health care for our growing community.”
South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said the proposed school in Charlemont would have an interim name of Horseshoe Bend Primary School and would support local students in their primary education.
He had recently put out calls for a new school in Charlemont and had created a petition in support of the creation of the school.
“Thank you to everyone who signed my petition supporting a new school for Charlemont and surrounds,” Mr Cheeseman said.
Western Victoria MP Stuart Grimley welcomed the Women and Children’s Hospital commitment, but said budget papers listed the funding for the project as ‘TBC’ until 2026, which could mean the government was yet to fully cost the project.
“I’m very pleased that the government has included designing an online reporting model for reporting sexual assaults,” he said.
“All in all, the budget is okay, there are some good projects and some deserving ones that have missed out.
“I would have liked to see more detail on some announcements to ensure Western Victoria is getting its fair share.”
