The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien says ongoing delays to school projects across Gippsland show why regional Victoria needs a guaranteed fair share of infrastructure funding.
Speaking in Parliament this week, Mr O’Brien highlighted a number of long-promised education projects that remain undelivered despite years of community advocacy and government commitments.
“Across Gippsland there are school communities waiting on projects that have been promised, funded or planned, but still have not been delivered,” Mr O’Brien said.
“At Sale College, the community has been campaigning for a new consolidated campus for almost a decade. We have a master plan, land secured and a project ready to proceed, yet construction has still not been funded.
“At Yinnar Primary School, the government allocated $7 million towards an upgrade in 2022, but four years later there is still no sign of works commencing.
“And at Leongatha Secondary College, Labor promised $11.7 million before the 2022 election, but the project remains stuck in planning.
“These communities have done everything asked of them and are still waiting for action.”
Mr O’Brien said the delays reflected a broader pattern of regional Victoria missing out on infrastructure investment.
“Gippslanders pay their taxes like everyone else, but too often we find ourselves at the back of the queue when major funding decisions are made.
“That is why The Nationals have committed to a Fair Share Guarantee, ensuring regional Victoria receives 25 per cent of all new government infrastructure spending.
“When one in four Victorians lives in regional communities, it is only fair that one in four infrastructure dollars is invested in regional Victoria.
“Whether it is schools, hospitals, roads or emergency services, Gippsland deserves its fair share.
“Students in Sale, Leongatha, Yinnar and communities right across Gippsland should not have to wait years for projects that have already been promised.”
Mr O’Brien said he would continue advocating for the delivery of overdue school projects across Gippsland and for greater investment in regional education infrastructure.