Cash is coming

 Some state election campaign promises from Monbulk MP James Merlino are coming to fruition in this year’s budget.

Monbulk Primary School will receive $7.1 million in the 2019-’20 budget for a new library, Grade 5 and 6 building and two competition-grade outdoor netball courts, which the Monbulk Football Netball Club will use after school hours.

Upwey High School will receive $2.7 million to transform tired facilities, adding to the $24 million the State Government has already provided for upgrades.

The budget will deliver $935,000 towards planning and early work ahead of upgrades at Monbulk College, the first step in delivering the final major stage of the school’s masterplan.

This will include new home economics and STEM and trades buildings.

The Mail reported last week that Yarra Ranges Special Developmental School would receive $3.45 million for new, architecturally-designed learning spaces.

Mr Merlino also highlighted a $10.2 million investment for a construction centre at Box Hill Institute’s Lilydale campus.

The budget included $81.6 million for a 120-bed aged care facility at Wantirna Health, and $4.6 million to start planning the next stage of the Angliss Hospital expansion at Upper Ferntree Gully.

The project to upgrade Pinks Reserve in Kilsyth received $10.5 million and up to 450 car parking spaces will be delivered at Mooroolbark Station, with works incorporated into the Manchester Road Level Crossing Removal.

Lastly, $1 million will help to recreate the Australian Garden exhibit at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden.

This was the first and only Australian garden exhibit to win the Best in Show Gold Medal at the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show, in 2013.