Labor’s $11m Serendip promise

LABOR would spend $11 million on revamping Lara’s Serendip Sanctuary and You Yangs precinct if it retains government at next month’s election.

Retiring Lara MP John Eren, the party’s election candidate Ella George and Commonwealth Games and Veteran’s Minister Shaun Leane visited the sanctuary today with community group leaders and Lara councillors to announce the funding commitment.

The state government released its You Yangs Precinct Masterplan in February, which outlined strategies aimed at protecting and enhancing natural and cultural significance of the area.

Labor said its pledge would “protect the special location for generations to come”.

“Serendip Sanctuary and the You Yangs, Wurdi Young, tell us about our past and contribute to the fabric of our communities,” Ms George said.

“This upgrade will improve the experience and encourage everyone to get active and enjoy these iconic and irreplaceable places.”

Serendip and the You Yangs draw more than 470,000 people each year for activities including mountain biking, horse riding, rock-climbing and abseiling, trail running, bushwalks and picnics.

The announcement follows recent advocacy from the City of Greater Geelong last month, which said it would write to the government to ask for more clarity on the masterplan’s implementation and funding in response to community concerns about the removal of wildlife and deterioration of the area.