THE Victorian Budget has been met with a lukewarm reaction from local leaders, disappointed that priority projects are neglected, local issues overlooked or spending is going to areas it isn’t needed.

The government last week announced a handful of local initiatives in the Budget – the $1.25 million upgrade of the Portland Gymnastics Club at Yarraman Park, continued $1 million funding for rangers at Budj Bim World Heritage Cultural Landscape and, without any funding mentioned, a government “owned and operated” Early Learning Centre for Portland, one of the “communities that have the greatest need for more childcare and kindergarten places”.