ID :
179612
Tue, 05/03/2011 - 14:12
Auther :

Vic farmers happy with their budget lot


SYDNEY (AAP) - Farmers say they've scored major wins in the Victorian budget, led by a funding boost to fix deteriorating country roads and bridges.
The Liberal-National coalition has delivered on its election promise for a $1 billion fund targeting regional growth, which Deputy Premier Peter Ryan described as a centrepiece of the Baillieu government's first budget.
The first allocation of $500 million would be made over the next four years, the minister for regional and rural development said.
"The regional growth fund, which is being allocated over eight years and will be available from July 1, will ensure grass-roots communities have more money and greater input for local priority projects than ever before," Mr Ryan said.
Mr Ryan said an additional $160 million had been set aside in the 2011/12 budget to improve deteriorating country roads and bridges, with the funding to flow over four years.
It delivers on the coalition's election promise to provide 40 rural councils with grants of up to $1 million a year for four years to spend on infrastructure.
Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) president Andrew Broad said the $160 million would fill a significant gap in funding over recent years.
He said the $100 million local government infrastructure program, part of the regional growth fund, was also aimed at addressing the infrastructure backlog in country areas.
"The VFF especially welcomes commitments to assist local government to upgrade and maintain critical regional infrastructure and financial encouragement for the entry of young farmers to the industry," Mr Broad said.
The government is providing $1.2 million to extend the first farm grant and farmers aged under 35 who buy their first farmland property valued up to $300,000 will be exempt from paying stamp duty.
Other budget initiatives include $140 million for regional highway upgrades, $259 million to upgrade regional health services and $3.5 million to help address a decline in regional tourism.
But the opposition said regional Victoria had dropped off the map in the budget and Premier Ted Baillieu and the coalition had failed to deliver on a number of election commitments.
"Unfortunately, Mr Baillieu's lack of a plan will lead to less jobs, a cut to investment in infrastructure and less growth in regional Victoria," opposition regional and rural development spokeswoman Jacinta Allan said.



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