Former state election candidate Helen Dalton scorned the funding for a new ambulance station in the budget and said it was a spun out election promise from last year.

“The ambulance station is old news and here they are re-jigging it – it’s not money this year, it’s money promised last year,” she said.

“The Murray electorate receives half of one per cent in spending and that’s an estimate that is being conservative, yet we contribute about three billion to the state’s economy every year – we’re being short changed.”

Mrs Dalton is not alone in her frustration with vice-president of the Griffith Business Chamber Paul Pierotti also voicing his disappointment with the announcement.

“I think it’s long overdue, for 30 years the ambulance station has been flagged as unsuitable,” Mr Pierotti said. “We also have an unsuitable fire station and we have been calling for a hub to be built as part of the long term CBD strategy.

“It’s unfortunate, we have had put on the table talking about money again rather than action, even though our deputy premier said on a recent visit that the hospital would be prioritised – the community is frustrated.” 

Mr Pierotti said the funding that had been announced was well short of the kind of funding needed if Member for Murray Adrian Piccoli had been serious about the 1100 jobs he recently announced. 

“It’s disappointing, we can see the potential that is here and all we are saying is give us the policy and the funds to unlock the potential of this area.  Allow us to fly and you will see the benefits returned to you.” 

Mrs Dalton agreed the region’s potential was enormous and said it was shackled by a lack of planning.  

“The potential for us is huge, but to actually increase that the government really has to have a role in facilitating and coordinating economic development and right now we lack a strategic agenda that allows us to exceed to our full potential,” she said.

“They need to come to our area and genuinely consult with us and get the people in business, council and farming sector to help them look to a sustainable plan that doesn't pick winners.

“We have been forgotten and left behind. We don’t get any support, there are so many lost opportunities it’s a shame.”