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FRIDAY, August 19, 2022
Next phase begins
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Albion to be revamped into office space
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Sport
SYMBOL OF SACRIFICE MORE than 50 people attended yesterday’s special service at the Wangaratta RSL subbranch to mark Vietnam Veterans’ Day. The service was punctuated by the unveiling of a symbolic cross, made by members of the Wangaratta Mens’ Shed, to be a constant reminder of those who served. Guest speaker Terry Bennett (RAAOC retired), Liz Rouse-Salmon and Reverend Michael Pullar are pictured unveiling the cross. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
Cash up regions THE Victorian Coalition is trying to win over more regional Victorian voters with a guarantee that a quarter of the government’s infrastructure spend to be in regional areas, including an $8 billion promise for regional health services. The Liberals/Nationals announced this week that $8 billion will be redirected to regional health services from the shelving of the $35 million
Wangaratta’s g ’ p push to ggrow cityy wins ear of Liberal leader Matthew Guyy BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
Cheltenham to Box Hill rail line in the first term of a Coalition government should it be elected in November. This would be part of a 25 per cent slice of the overall spend on
AUTHENTICALLY AUSTRALIAN.
all new government capital investment for infrastructure projects across the state. Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees spoke to Liberal leader Matthew Guy last week, noting the fact one in four people live in regional Victoria yet the level of investment was only two per cent. Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy, who is assistant
shadow minister for regional health, said the $8 billion announcement recognises the Coalition’s plan to fix the health crisis in Victoria. “Northeast Health Wangaratta needs help to deliver basic services and we are committing to make this happen,” Mr McCurdy said. “A tunnel in Melbourne that won’t be completed for
13 years is false economy compared to investing in our people and our community. “This decision is a watershed moment for health in every community in the Ovens Valley community.” One key requirement for infrastructure is Wangaratta’s dire need for a new waste water treatment plant which would cost
about $200 million. Wangaratta is one of 10 regional cities in Victoria and Cr Rees said more needs to be spent in the smaller regional cities, not just Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat. “Other shires like Indigo, Alpine and Moira around Wangaratta tend to grow off our city being bigger,” he said. ■ Continued page 2