Boost from cash bonus

By Casey Neill
HILLS residents are set to benefit from a Federal Government plan to kick start the economy.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced a $42 billion economic stimulus package on Monday 2 February.
The House of Representatives approved the plan last week, but it faced a tough path through the Senate, with the Coalition opposing it.
Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service spokeswoman Anita Burman said proposed bonus payments would help those most in need.
“It’s always a benefit to people who are struggling,” she said.
Taxpayers who earned less than $80,000 in the 2007-08 financial year would receive $950 from April under the plan.
The government proposed $650 for those who earned between $80,000 and $90,000, and $300 for Australians who earned $90,000 to $100,000.
From March, single-income families receiving Family Tax Benefit B would be paid a $950 bonus, while the 1.5 million families on Family Tax Benefit A would receive a $950 payment for each child at school
Tertiary students would also get a hand, with $950 proposed for those already receiving government assistance.
Ms Burman said the number of people seeking help from the Belgrave-based relief service had increased as the economic climate worsened.
“It’s been a busy time,” she said.
“We’re starting to see more people we’d previously think of as middle class.”
Ms Burman said many workers’ hours had been cut back to part-time, leaving them to support their family on a tighter budget.
“Everybody is in difficult circumstances. There needs to be a lot of support for people,” she said.
Knox councillor Mick Van de Vreede asked council officers to investigate the Federal Government’s $6.6 billion plan to build 20,000 new affordable homes by December 2010.
“We’ll be working hard to make sure that eastern regional Melbourne gets access to this funding,” he said.
He said the outer east had the lowest supply of low income housing in Melbourne, with some residents waiting up to 15 years for a home.
“We want to make sure everyone in need across the country gets help,” he said.
“But we have a particularly significant problem in the outer east.”
Monbulk Primary School principal Ray Yates said the $14.7 billion education boost for Australia’s 9540 government and non-government schools put education where it should be.
“It’s great for schools. It’s putting education at the forefront of communities,” he said.
$12.4 billion was allocated to build or refurbish facilities at primary, kindergarten to Year 12 and special schools by 30 June 2011.
Secondary schools would receive $1 billion to build 500 science or language centres by 30 June 2010.
$1.3 billion would be spent on updating existing buildings.
Mr Yates said schools had struggled over the years and needed the funds.
He said Monbulk would investigate allocating further funds to the town’s community centre hub project and arts facilities and will meet with Shire of Yarra Ranges and government representatives to discuss the school’s options.
Dandenong Ranges Renewable Energy Association president Peter Cook said measures to improve household energy use were a step in the right direction.
Mr Rudd said the ‘energy efficient homes’ program could see almost all Australian homes with an energy rating of at least two stars by 2012.
He announced $2.7 billion for free insulation for home owners from 1 July to 31 December this year, and an increased rebate for landlords to install insulation in rental properties.
Mr Rudd also increased the rebate on solar and heat pump hot water systems to $1600 for those who did not claim the insulation.
Mr Cook said solar hot water systems were more accessible than solar panels.
“And the insulation is a good move because it has the greatest gains we can make as far electricity conservation and efficiency is concerned,” he said.
An additional $500 million over the next two years will help local councils fund town halls, libraries and community and sports centres.
Shire of Yarra Ranges spokesman James Martin welcomed the cash.
“We’re now waiting on the details,” he said.
An extra $90 million will fund up to 350 ‘black spot’ projects.
$150 million will clear a backlog of road maintenance projects, and another $150 million will install 200 level crossing boom gates.