Shire puts election issues on agenda

FUNDING priorities for the upcoming State election in Golden Plains Shire have been announced.

Ahead of the 26 November vote, a statement released by the Shire’s communications group said the council was looking for “bi-partisan commitments for valuable community infrastructure and important services” across the three electorates that cover the municipality.

The list of wants is extensive and runs to more than $14 million worth of projects, not including the estimated $275 million for the duplication of the Midland Highway from Bannockburn to Geelong, or the uncosted return of passenger rail to the same town.

“Following the State election, each electorate will receive funding to deliver the promises of the political party who forms government, so our focus is on securing bi-partisan commitments for Golden Plains Shire,” said mayor Cr Gavin Gamble.

“Golden Plains Shire councillors, CEO Eric Braslis and I have been meeting regularly with the MPs and candidates for the electorates of Eureka, Ripon, and Geelong.”

In the Shire’s south, and along with the road and rail upgrades, items on the wish list for the Geelong electorate include $4.65 million for Bannockburn Recreation Precinct upgrades, $750,000 for additional room at Bannockburn Family Services Centre, and $550,000 for a new pump track at Bannockburn skate park.

A 24-hour police station for that town is also on the list.

In Eureka, which covers most of the Shire geographically, female-friendly changerooms at Teesdale and Lethbridge are being sought at $1.5 million per location, plus a further $420,000 to put lights on the second oval at the latter’s rec reserve, as well as money for a community hub in Maude, and cricket nets in Meredith.

Up in Ripon, on the list of wants is $2.2 million for a playground in Smythesdale, $1.3 for the second stage of the Northern Streetscape project, $475,000 to restore the Linton library, and a 24-hour ambulance station.

“In Golden Plains Shire, we have 56 communities, so we know that election commitments won’t reach all the corners of the municipality, but every dollar of government investment that’s secured for our priority projects saves money in council’s budget,” Cr Gamble said.