Pledges flow from parties
Cash vows as poll draws nearer
THE major parties have pumped pledges into the Geelong region in the final days before early voting centres open on Monday before the state election.
Since Friday, pledges from the Coalition have included that if it wins government it will fund Highton Village upgrades with $200,000.
This funding would go towards improving footpaths, street furniture, lighting and upgrading Bellevue Arcade.
The Coalition would also hand an extra $400,000 to South Barwon Cricket Club for its facility redevelopment.
Liberal candidates for South Barwon, Andrew Katos, and for Geelong, James BennettHulin, announced the election commitment on Friday, boosting the $1.6m included for the project in the October federal budget. And a Liberal state government would provide $500,000 for a community battery and urban solar farm in the Borough of Queenscliffe, an election candidate has pledged.
Bellarine candidate Donnie Grigau on Friday announced the funding for a locally connected microgrid that would feed into a community battery from solar panels on houses and businesses, who would benefit from cheaper, clean energy.
Labor also announced a number of pledges in recent days. Southern Otway Landcare Network would receive a $50,000 grant from the government if the ALP won the election, its Polwarth candidate, Hutch Hussein, announced. And a re-elected Labor government would invest $20.5m to rebuild the St Leonards Pier, the party’s Bellarine candidate announced.
Bellarine Labor candidate Alison Marchant announced on Friday the funding pledge, which she said would improve safety, support local jobs and ensure the much-loved location could be enjoyed for generations to come.
Labor also pledged new funding to support the expansion of Torquay Bowls Club’s coastal greens.
Ms Hussein said if reelected, Labor would invest $40,000 for planning for a third green – enabling the popular Torquay Bowls Club to accommodate more members, games and events for the growing local community.
“Sport is such a big part of our community and our local bowls club is one of the best in the state; that’s why we’ll back Torquay Bowls Club to plan the upgrades it needs to keep locals active and engaged,” she said. And a re-elected Labor government would provide a $1m grant towards improving pedestrian and vehicle access to the Collendina Reserve in Ocean Grove, its Bellarine candidate said.
Ms Marchant said this would make it easier and safer for everyone to access the sports and recreation space.