Federal budget cash sought for shire-wide projects

INDI Independent federal MP Helen Haines is lobbying for tens of millions of dollars to be invested into the Alpine Shire economy. Dr Haines is calling for more than $2 billion for the Indi electorate through a budget submission put to Treasurer Jim Chalmers ahead of the federal budget to be released on 25 March. Dr Haines’ detailed funding proposals have been created in partnership with local councils, Regional Development Australia (Hume Region), Alpine Resorts Victoria and local stakeholders to address needs across Indi, particularly the housing supply and affordability crisis, 'with councils identifying the lack of funds to build basic infrastructure a challenge to unlocking private investment in new builds'. Priority projects for the Alpine Shire are: redevelopment of Myrtleford's Mountain View Children's Centre; Bright Waterfront Precinct Master Plan; upgraded infrastructure in Harrietville at the Dredge Hole Precinct, Pioneer and Tavare Parks and Community Hall; upgraded infrastructure in Tawonga in the CBD and Pioneer Memorial Park; and an extension of the Kiewa River Trail. The Mountain View Children's Centre redevelopment aims to increase site capacity from 91 to 160 licenced childcare places, with the total project cost estimated at $8,430,000. Council currently awaits the outcome of grant applications to the federal government for $4,230,000 through the 'Growing Regions Program: Round 2', and to the Victorian government for $4,200,000 through the 'Victorian School Building Authority's 'Building Blocks Grants: Capacity Building’' to facilitate the redevelopment. Bright's Waterfront Precinct Master Plan will propose a range of improvements to create a vibrant public open space which serves the local community while addressing land use, built form, movement, access, character and public realm issues. The plan will set a vision for the area and provide strategic direction for all future upgrades and investment, with the total project cost at $4 million. Council is awaiting the outcome of a grant application submitted to the federal government through the 'Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program' to fund this work. The upgrade to three of Harrietville's popular landmarks includes a meeting plaza, picnic shelters, amenities, landscaping and directional trail signage, with the designs drawing inspiration from Harrietville’s gold mining and Chinese settlement heritage. This community supported project will create a revitalised and connected town, improve liveability and help strengthen Harrietville’s reputation as a nature-based tourism hub, with the total project cost set at $4 million. Tawonga's CBD and Pioneer Memorial Park will be renewed with vibrant playspaces for the local community and visitors, safer pedestrian connections through the CBD and upgraded community facilities. This well-supported project will deliver a sense of destination for the Tawonga township, encouraging passing traffic to stop and enjoy a revitalised and connected town, with the total project cost estimated at $3.5 million. The shared Kiewa River Trail will be extended from the existing end point to complete a fully-sealed loop via the Kiewa River East Branch to become more accessible for visitors and residents of Mount Beauty and Tawonga South. This has long been requested by the local community and will also add a significant draw card for visitors to the town, with an estimated project cost of $1.8 million. Dr Haines’ submission also includes measures to reduce cost-of-living pressures on households and small business and support regional Australia, such as: • a $2 billion Regional Housing Infrastructure Fund over four years in regional Australia to unlock investment in new houses; • support for households to electrify through zero-interest loans; • reintroduction of the Small Business Energy Incentive for an additional three years; • dedicated regional health infrastructure fund; • increased funding for regional internet and mobile phone blackspots, community nodes, tower backups and cells on wheels; and • extension of the Renewable Heat Industrialisation Program to support manufacturing. The full Indi Budget Submission, listing all projects can be found at: https://www.helenhaines.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Indi-Budget-Submission-2025.pdf

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