Key Upper House cross-bencher James Purcell says a new library for Warrnambool and more beach protection for Port Fairy’s East Beach are on his wish list for next Tuesday’s state budget.
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Mr Purcell’s vote has been crucial to the state Labor government to pass several bills and he has used his key position to attract government support for several south-west projects.
He said he had taken his budget wish list from the top priorities of each of the five municipalities in the Great South Coast group. Those priorities included funding for master plans for the Shipwreck Coast and the 12 Apostles and upgrades to the Portland foreshore.
He said he had negotiated with the state on each of the councils’ priorities and was confident some of them would get funding.
Mr Purcell said his wish list included better road and rail funding for the south-west and he was heartened the government announced on Thursday it would increase funding for regional road maintenance and begin planning for a high-speed rail link between Melbourne and Geelong.
The high-speed rail would significantly reduce train travel times between Warrnambool and Melbourne, he said.
Full funding for the $100 million stage two redevelopment of Warrnambool Base Hospital tops Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell’s state budget wish list. She is also seeking funding for The Lookout Residential Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre.