Libs pledge $7m for Miners Rest sports precinct

COMPETITION for voters on Ballarat’s north-western fringe continues to heat up with another election pledge in the area, this time at Miners Rest.

Last week the Liberals committed $7 million to build the suburb’s sports and recreation area.

“I have been a long-time supporter of the Miners Rest sports and community hub, and I am proud to be here today, committing to make this project a reality,” said Member for Ripon, Louise Staley.

“Miners Rest is one of the fastest growing suburbs of Ballarat.”

A project driven by the Committee for Miners Rest, works would see the construction of oval sports fields, netball and tennis courts, cricket nets, a playground and community centre.

The money for the funding pledge is part of the opposition Coalition’s “Regional Infrastructure Guarantee” that claims 25 per cent of new government spending will go to regional Victoria.

“Our plan will reinvigorate and support small regional communities from the ground up and deliver them the infrastructure they need to grow,” Ms Staley said.

In the lead up to this month’s State election, most Liberal Party pledges in the Ballarat region have been focused on the electorate of Ripon, or the city’s west.

In addition to the Miners Rest sports precinct, commitments so far include a public bus service in Smythesdale and Haddon, extension of the Ballarat Ring Road, and $200 million for a new Ballymanus Hospital on Ballarat-Carngham Road.

The seat of Ripon includes parts of Ballarat’s north-western fringe like Lucas and Miners Rest, and following a redistribution after the 2018 election, towns like Smythesdale, Haddon, Scarsdale and Linton.

Ms Staley and the Liberal party held Ripon at the 2018 State election by 15 votes after the distribution of preferences.