The State Government will contribute $5 million to reopen the former arcade space and function venue at Luna Park to provide an ongoing revenue source to sustain the park into the future. The private operators of Luna Park will contribute $17 million. Work is already underway, and it is expected the Luna Palace building will be open for business by November.
Another winner is the South Melbourne Primary School, where $2.63 million will fund the planning and design of a new school campus.
There is also $275,000 for lighting at Oval No. 11 in Albert Park and $150,000 for First Step – an addiction, mental health, and legal services hub in the heart of St Kilda.
There is also funding to boost train service, including access to the new ANZAC metro station on St Kilda Road. This will be a game changer for many residents and workers traveling to and from St Kilda Road.
Read Nina Taylor MLA media release on local budget news
But St Kilda Primary is still left out in the cold
Many years after losing their school hall, the crew at St Kilda Primary School remain hall-less.
Parent Caroline Thornton told TWiSK that parents at St Kilda Primary School are disappointed to learn it has again been overlooked.
“St Kilda Primary is the largest school in the area with no facilities to accommodate PE or assemblies in inclement weather and nowhere to hold events for the school or the local community.
“The state government promised a replacement hall, but this part of the school’s Master Plan remains unfunded.”
The school is located in the State seat of Prahran, but also has students living in the state seats of Caulfield, Brighton, and Albert Park. Four MPs and no hall! Yikes!
Council wish list largely unfunded
The council is advocating for a range of additional local resources including:
additional Victoria Police resources, including dedicated, rostered neighbourhood policing for weekly joint patrols with the council’s Local Laws officers;
increased resources for wrap-around services, including housing and homelessness programs, drug and alcohol support services, and mental health support initiatives;
and an increase in affordable and community housing stock for vulnerable community members, as housing policy and support are predominantly the responsibility of the Federal and State Governments.
