WODONGA'S MP has been left underwhelmed by the Victorian Government's budget.
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Bill Tilley said the economic blueprint did not represent a substantial investment in the North East.
"There is some token gestures here, but by and large our lives are no better," Mr Tilley said.
"A modest investment to update Mount Beauty Primary, $100,000 for the dirt bike track and some cash for wastewater treatment works that have been announced in the past.
"What is most notably missing is any money for Albury Wodonga Health, just something that might address the 30 people on the waiting list for dialysis might be a good start."
The Liberal Opposition MP also queried how mental health funding would aid the Upper Murray.
"The Treasurer made an emotive presentation stressing the importance of mental health," Mr Tilley said.
"But the only investment in our area is Wangaratta which is a long way from Corryong where we have a major crisis, a community still reeling from several youth suicides."
A new police station promised in the budget for Benalla has been welcomed.
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It will be the biggest and most expensive police station built in the North East since Wodonga's was opened in 2002 as part of a $11.9 million building that also contains law courts.
Benalla's station in Bridge Street dates to 1956, when it was built for police and other government services, and now houses 70 staff.
Former Benalla MP Bill Sykes said he had been campaigning since he was elected in 2002 to replace what he described as a "crappy place and crappy building".
His heir as local MP Steph Ryan said it was "not the kind of environment you would expect police to operate in".
"There's no doubt the Benalla police station has the worst police facilities in the state and this is not before time," Ms Ryan said.
Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes told Benalla police on Thursday that construction would begin in July 2022 and was slated for a 2024 completion.
"Building the new station on the existing site means residents can be assured there will be no disruption to police services during construction," Ms Symes said.
Benalla mayor Danny Claridge joined Ms Symes and said police showed "absolute amazement and joy".
"They were extremely pleased, the existing building is very old, depressing and decrepit," he said.
"We're embarrassed we have our police working out of there."
The funding for the Benalla police station was the biggest infrastructure investment in the budget for the North East.
Albury and Wodonga Motorcycle Club has scored $105,000 to install an irrigation system to cover tracks at its Lincoln Causeway base.
Club president Chris Seaton said having a watering network would save volunteers being burnt out through having to dampen the course from hose points.
It would also reduce evaporation by allowing watering to occur overnight.
