The State Budget was delivered on Tuesday, and while several funding streams have been announced, including further funds for sporting and community facilities, there little new initiatives allocated specifically to projects within Maroondah.

The Budget Breakfast has hosted by James Merlino, the Member for Monbulk and the Minster for Sport, Recreation, Youth Affairs and Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, with the Treasurer John Lenders providing an overview on the Budget.

One of the most disappointing aspects of the Budget was the lack of further funding towards the redevelopment of Ringwood Station. The Treasurer spoke extensively about how the State Government is implementing its various plans and while this is certainly positive, it is disappointing that there is not a long-term plan involving the Central Activity Districts across Melbourne.

I asked the Treasurer a question requesting that the Government deliver a plan for Melbourne’s Central Activities District, which would provide confidence and investment certainty within these areas. While Councils, like Maroondah, can deliver Masterplans and Precinct Plans to envisage the desired character of the area, there is a need for State Government investment to provide much needed infrastructure for the designated Central Activity Districts.

The top priority for Ringwood is the complete redevelopment of Ringwood Station, a project that thus far has not been identified in the State Government’s Transport Plan or its planning initiatives. While the State Government has committed #39 million to the redevelopment of the bus interchange and station forecourt this will not resolve the fundamental issue of accessibility and the lack of passenger amenities.

Maroondah Council and the community support the transformation into Ringwood as a Central Activity District, it is now time for the State Government to demonstrate its commitment towards this vision through funding the complete redevelopment of Ringwood Station so it becomes an accessible, integrated and safe transport interchange.