McKiterick speaks to locals about their concerns

THE state election campaign is starting to heat up, with Bellarine candidate Brian McKiterick taking to the streets of Drysdale and Leopold to gain support.

Mr McKiterick, who was joined by Shadow Minister for Police, Corrections and Community Safety Ed O’Donohue, visited the Drysdale Police Station last Thursday to find it closed.

Mr McKiterick said the station, which Bellarine MP Lisa Neville promised in 2015 would be open 16 hours a day, appeared to not even be open during the current rostered times.

He said the station also showed significant signs of wear – rust covering the Victoria Police signage at Drysdale’s police station along with an empty community noticeboard.

Mr McKiterick said one local business informed him about recent crimes.

He said two incidents, including one ram-raid, which caused thousands of dollars damage, have occurred at the Drysdale Hotel within 12 months of each other.

In reply, a Labor government spokesperson said the Portarlington, Drysdale and Queenscliffe police stations were all slated for closure under the Liberal Government.

“Our government has re-opened those police stations, deployed more police to Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula, and also established the Bellarine Community Safety Group and the Geelong Community Safety Network to drive greater community engagement on issues like community safety,” the spokesperson said.

“Unlike the Liberals, we value our police officers and listen to them.

“That’s why we are giving them the resources, equipment and technology they need to keep Victorians safe.”

McKiterick also visited Gateway Plaza in Leopold where he heard from locals who said they had seen a significant reduction in security and police presence in the new shopping centre. He also said he heard from unhappy workers about rising energy prices,both commercially and residentially.

He said one retail assistant spoke of her $1,100 quarterly gas and electricity bill, which had increased significantly in the past 12 months to two years at her three-bedroom home.

McKiterick also spoke to residents about their concerns regarding education and the need for a high school in Leopold.