WITH the Victorian election less than 100 days away, the attention on Ballarat can only grow.
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Premier Denis Napthine’s almost weekly visits to the region have highlighted the importance of the area to his plans of having the Coalition re-elected.
This week’s $13 million pledge for Mount Clear College came unexpectedly for most, but should play a part in securing votes in the tight Buninyong race.
While Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews has visited the city almost as much, his bigger funding commitments have been directed towards Geelong.
With $100 million promised to the city for a revamped performing arts centre and the next stage of construction for Simmonds Stadium, Ballarat residents may be left wondering when our big election promise from Labor will arrive.
Ballarat’s biggest Labor election promise of $31.5 million in sporting infrastructure seems to pale in comparison to the attention in Geelong.
While the Coalition has already received a big tick in The Courier’s priority list with the shifting of VicRoads, it should be only the beginning.
For residents in the seats of Wendouree, Buninyong and Ripon, it may come down to what goodies the two parties can come through with.
The Coalition has funded an $8 million emergency services hub, $14.3 million for an upgrade of Ballan train station and a rail passing loop to be constructed at Rowsley and $8 million for an upgrade of Ballarat High School, however all of these are budgeted and should occur under either party.
However, Thursday’s election promise of an upgrade at Mount Clear College isn’t in the same boat and is not budgeted.
Daniel Andrew’s promise for a $31.5 million revamp of Eureka Stadium and other sporting facilities leads Labor’s election package, which includes $10 million for the next stage of the Phoenix P-12 Community College upgrade and $10 million for a cardiovascular service expansion.
matthew.dixon@fairfaxmedia.com.au