$98 million for planning and pre-construction for Western Highway bypasses of Ararat and Beaufort.

Horsham and Ararat will share in a state pool of $22.2 million for new bus services.

$32 million to partially fund the East Grampians pipeline project.

Young farmer stamp duty full exemption threshold expanded from $300 000 to $600 000 for settlements from 1 July 2018.

The Grampians residential rehabilitation facility funded in the 2017-18 Budget will begin operations, providing treatment for up to 80 people a year. This new facility will improve services to residents of regional Victoria who would otherwise be required to travel to Melbourne to access treatment. 

A Prevention Lab brand will be developed to improve the health and wellbeing of families in the Central Highlands region (inclusive of Ararat, Pyrenees, Ballarat, Hepburn, Moorabool and Golden Plains), and improving healthy eating habits and physical activity levels for people of the region.

Stawell Secondary College will receive $4 million for its masterplan.

$3.6 million for kinder across the Wimmera and South West to improve school readiness.

$100,000 for pedestrian upgrades on Ararat-Halls Gap Road near Marian College and St Mary’s Primary.

$172m to make 30 priority TAFE and pre-apprenticeship courses free and $304m to make apprenticeships available in secondary colleges.

Funding will be provided for a workforce planning project that addresses skill development, housing and transport connections currently impacting the Ararat, Pyrenees and Northern Grampians shires.

The payroll tax rate in regional Victoria will be cut to half the metropolitan rate. From 1 July 2018, the payroll tax rate for regional businesses will be reduced from 3.65 per cent to 2.425 per cent – the lowest rate in Australia. This will apply to regionally based businesses with payrolls that comprise at least 85 per cent wages associated with regional employees.

Stawell’s North Park will receive $600,000.

$1.3m “to better protect women and children from violence” through crisis support across the Wimmera-Southern Mallee regional partnership area of Hindmarsh Shire, Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians Shire, West Wimmera Shire and Yarriambiack Shire.

A feasibility study will be undertaken to identify locally appropriate responses to homelessness in the Central Highlands (inclusive of municipalities such as Ararat, Pyrenees, Ballarat, Hepburn, Moorabool and Golden Plains) and a business case will be developed for a future Central Highlands Housing First Response pilot.

$500,000 for a Grampians Cycling Plan business case

$300,000 for a trail through existing silo art installations in the Wimmera and Mallee.

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