Addison aims for second term

WHILE Juliana Addison comes to the end of her first term as the Labor Member for Wendouree, she’s on the campaign trail, aiming to secure the State seat for another four years.

The former teacher said preparing Ballarat for the Commonwealth Games will be a major focus for her if she is re-elected this month.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Ballarat, and my most pressing issue moving forward is that the city benefits for future generations,” she said.

“It’s not just about 14 days. If we are going to have record levels of investment… what legacy is that going to leave? What are the housing outcomes? What are the disability benefits for the whole community?

“At Ballarat Station, for example, we’re going to put in the lifts, more toilets, and a waiting room. This will benefit Ballarat commuters and visitors for decades to come.

“Mars Stadium is going to have the ability to have 5000 more permanent seats, and that’s got opportunity written all over it, for future concerts, activities, and AFL games. It means we’re open for business.”

Ms Addison said she is “bursting” after yesterday’s announcement that a re-elected Labor government will redevelop Marty Busch Reserve, but there’s “no single vision” on any one project.

“We know to make Ballarat a better place to live, we have to invest in schools, roads, do free kinder, free TAFE for skills shortages, and make sure that local businesses are thriving so that they can create jobs,” she said.

Some of her first-term highlights include funding more than 93,000 breakfasts for school children across the electorate, upgrading train infrastructure, seeing the designs for the Ballarat Base Hospital expansion be realised, and redeveloping the Wendouree West Recreation Reserve.

“The rec reserve has been one of my proudest achievements. It was $7 million for community renewal, and investment in a community that had been neglected for decades,” she said.

“To have the Y, the Men’s Shed, and the Wendouree Neighbourhood House there when it’s finished in January, that’s going to be really special. When you invest in projects, you change outcomes.

“We’re seeing that through the Forest Rangers Soccer Club, and across the board.

“There’s other mega projects that I’ve been a part of the planning, community consultation, and stakeholder engagement for that I really hope to be able to follow through,” she said.