A Labor government would be prepared to revisit the Eureka Stadium redevelopment, but the project should look beyond sport, according to Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews.
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Mr Andrews made the comments during a roundtable discussion between the Labor Party and Ballarat community leaders yesterday.
North Ballarat Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald said there was great potential to develop the Eureka Stadium precinct as a sporting, cultural and education hub.
Mr FitzGerald asked Mr Andrews what his party was willing to contribute to grow it.
In the 2010 state election campaign, the Labor government pledged $30 million for a major upgrade to Eureka Stadium, yet lost the election.
Yesterday, Mr Andrews said there could be an opportunity to revisit the project and to better describe what it was about.
“This could be about live music ... an arts scene ... as much as it is about sport,” he said.
“Having a broader sales pitch, that’s always a good thing.
“I’m always prepared to sit down and have a talk about that.”
Yesterday’s forum was pitched as an opportunity for Ballarat to highlight its priorities ahead of the 2014 state election.
Mr Andrews said state government input could make a big difference to local communities.
“It’s over to you to give us a sense of what’s working now and what can be added to,” he said.
Topics discussed during the talks ranged from developing young leaders to telecommunications blackspots and supporting small towns to cope with growth.
Bendigo East MP Jacinta Allen said the Labor Party was holding similar talks with all of the state’s regional centres.
She said there were some common priorities across the state, such as jobs, infrastructure and retaining young people.
“There have been some similar themes ... we know you all have your own set of priorities too,” she said.
rachel.afflick@fairfaxmedia.com.au
