The City of Casey has welcomed the Australian Government's commitment to boost funding for several local projects and initiatives in the 2021-2022 Federal Budget.
Local families will benefit from the Australian Government's commitment to four years of federal funding for four-year-old kindergarten, while the additional spending on Victoria's road network will help to keep Casey moving.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM said the Australian Government's investment in early childhood education and priority road and rail infrastructure will deliver real benefits for Casey's residents.
"The funding commitment for five hours of kindergarten for Casey's four-year-olds by the Australian Government, combined with ten hours funded by the Victorian Government, provides a crucial 15 hours' early education each week for our little ones in the year before school," Ms Duff said.
"The security of this additional funding will hopefully alleviate some pressure for Casey families and provide some certainty for their child's kindergarten experience."
Ms Duff also welcomed the $386.4m commitment to much-needed arterial road upgrades and key infrastructure in Casey.
"Council has long advocated for additional funding for these projects as we know their completion will significantly ease congestion, keep increasing volumes of traffic moving and create local jobs."
Benefiting from the funding boost is the Monash Roads Upgrade project where additional funding of $250m will construct intersections on Clyde Road at Kangan Drive and the Monash Freeway, greatly improving access to the growing Berwick Health and Education Precinct.
In addition to this, $56.8m will go towards the upgrade of Hall Road from McCormacks Road in Skye through to Cranbourne-Frankston Road in Cranbourne West, increasing the Australian Government's total spending on the duplication project to $141.3m.
The pledge to provide an additional $30.4m for the Western Port Highway Upgrade will bring the Australian Government's total investment for this project in line with the State Government's commitment of $57.5m.
Berwick Railway Station will also gain a new, larger car park for up to 500 cars as a result of a further $49.2m allocated to this facility, which will complement other works already underway at the busy station.
"For an area like Casey with its continued strong population growth, these road and rail programs will significantly alleviate congestion, enhance accessibility and improve safety," said Ms Duff.
City of Casey Acting Chief Executive Officer James Collins added:
"The funding packages put forward in the budget represent tangible community benefits for the people of Casey," Mr Collins said.
"These projects will be complemented by a range of other budget initiatives designed to help support women, boost skills and employment, support our ageing population and recover from COVID-19; all of which are a priority for Council."
