Funding to address mental health initiatives has been roundly praised by key stakeholders in the field.
In a town like Benalla, which has a high rate of suicide, there will be targeted support.
Illegal dumpers risk putting op-shop out of business
The budget includes funding for the delivery of the first 20 of up to 60 new local mental health services, providing a ‘front door’ for care embedded in communities – including a fast-tracked site in Benalla.
It will also see $277 million invested to put student mental health, health and wellbeing at the centre of school communities.
That includes $200 million for a new School Mental Health Fund – rolling out in regional Victoria first and enabling schools to introduce new support and programs, based on the needs of their students.
The Mental Health in Primary Schools pilot will be expanded to include 100 schools, putting a mental health and wellbeing coordinator in every participating primary school, while also supporting 100 jobs.
Benalla’s Willow thriving at Trinity College
There is also funding to restore waterways in the north-east and to protect native water species.
Lake Benalla has had an issue with the invasive Cabomba weed for a long time and the hope remains that Benalla Rural City Council can access some of the announced resources to assist with its ongoing costs in this area.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said it was a budget that cares, and delivers, for the north-east – investing in the support, services and infrastructure country towns need.
“This budget invests in local mental health services, more beds and better preventative care across the north-east – because mental illness touches every community, in every corner of our state,” Ms Symes said.
CFA marks National Volunteer Week: Op-ed from CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan
There will also be $5.8 million available for the Rural Financial Counselling Service, offering free and impartial advice to farming and related small businesses suffering financial hardship.
Of course it is not all positive, with the opposition pointing to an increase in taxes to fund these, and other, initiatives.
State Member for Euroa Steph Ryan said the budget had delivered a mixed bag for Benalla, with funding for two important projects overshadowed by increases in taxes.
“I am delighted that the community’s advocacy to rebuild Benalla’s police station has finally paid dividends and we can tick a new police station off the priority list,” Ms Ryan said.
Cancer support group helping those in times of need
She also praised the work Tomorrow Today did in the community and welcomed the investment in its future, but said the budget was not all good news for the north-east.
”The state government (has failed) to deliver any plan for COVID recovery, (has included) big cuts to the funding of core services, and a huge increase in taxes,” Ms Ryan said.
“Labor is levying an extra $5.8 billion in taxes while the cost overruns and waste . . . is eyewatering.
*** The warmth of Benalla shines through – Bendigo Bank blanket drive a huge success
“In a nutshell we are all paying more but receiving less in the way of services.”
Ms Ryan believed the state government didn’t have a plan for helping small businesses, who had borne the brunt of the government’s lockdowns, to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“(I) was also disappointed that locally the government hasn’t provided the funding needed to finish the regeneration of Benalla College.
“I will keep fighting to see the school finished, as was originally promised when the community agreed to merge schools almost 15 years ago.”
If you would like to send a letter to the editor on this, or any subject, click this link
21°C