INFRASTRUCTURE projects are usually the most flashy.
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Politicians from every side of politics can't get enough of the fluoro vests and hard hats and this election is no different.
Roads, schools and sporting facilities lead the way and more should be expected in the lead up to the end of November.
The long talked about Eureka Stadium proposal is once again on the agenda making a greater number of AFL games in Ballarat a real possibility.
At the opposite end The Greens want more attention focused on Eastern Oval which they see as a better alternative for a sporting redevelopment.
While East-West Link and the construction of the Ballarat West Link Road seem to be two of the bigger ticket items from the Coalition.
EWL in particular could be a sticking point for some voters who want more funding to improve Ballarat's busy train services.
As roads around the Ballarat region crumble it is no wonder both sides are throwing money at improvement, however residents will have to sit tight and wait and see if there is any chance of that money following to our region.
With recent polling results showing the Coalition is falling behind in the election race, there is no doubt more infrastructure projects in Ballarat will be on the agenda.
While some funding has been promised for the railway station, it is a long way off the station's masterplan which has long been mooted as one of Ballarat's biggest projects that will get the go ahead.
Her Majesty's Theatre, is one of a series of projects listed in the City of Ballarat's Regional Capital Plan that would need serious commitments from political parties to make them into reality.
Sonia Smith - Nationals
I'll introduce a 'Putting Locals First' clause to guarantee local manufacturing content in State Government procurement including trains, construction and printing.
I'll ensure community infrastructure is accessible for all ages and abilities, with an emphasis on environmentally sustainable and ecological structures.
I'll connect growing towns to natural gas.
Ben Taylor:
The construction phase of the EastWest Link will create 3,700 more jobs and when completed it will save around 30 minutes round trip travel time to Melbourne for local small businesses, tourists and residents. Upgrades to the Regional Rail Link will also significantly improve travel times.
Tony Goodfellow - Greens
With $1.8b worth of wind projects approved but unstarted around Ballarat, The Greens Victorian Renewable Energy Target gives businesses certainty to invest.
The longer we delay reducing Victoria's reliance on dirty brown coal, the costlier action becomes.
You can trust The Greens to fight for a cleaner economy -now!
Geoff Howard - Labor
Without critical infrastructure investment our region faces four more years of rising unemployment and local jobs losses under the Liberals. Only Labor has a plan to give our community the shot in the arm it so desperately needs by investing in local schools, health services, recreation facilities and roads.
Labor -
1. Eureka stadium, Wendouree Sports and Events Centre, CE Brown Reserve and showgrounds - $31.5 million
2. Cardiac catheterisation laboratory at Ballarat Base Hospital- $10 million
3. Phoenix P-12 & Delacombe Primary School - $12 million
4. Ballarat Colac Road - $2 million
5. Regional Roads Fund - $1 billion
Liberal
1. Ballarat West Link Road ($38 million) and Ballarat West Employment Zone ($68 million)
2. Duplicating the Western Highway
3. Murray Basin Rail Standardisation - $220 million
4. Upgrades to Main Road from Ballarat to Buninyong - $4.5 million
5. Construction of the EastWest Link
National
1. $100,000 contribution towards new player and umpire change rooms at Mt Clear Recreation Reserve.
2. $400,000 to upgrade the Ballan Recreation Reserve plus new funding for recreation reserves for small towns.
3. $50,000 towards the design and planning of a new Ballarat motorsports facility.
4. Stage 1 of the Ballarat West Link Road for the $30.2 million Ballarat West Employment Zone
5. Almost $7 million towards Ballarat Railway station upgrade .
Greens
1. Provide certainty for private investors in wind generation. Reintroduce Victorian Renewable Energy Target.
2. CBD Revitalisation: Ballarat Rail Station/Civic Hall (retention-reuse)/Eastern Oval.
3. Reintroduce passenger trains on Geelong/Ballarat/Bendigo lines.
4. Water capture, recycling and reuse in all new developments.
5. Reinvestment in rail freight to key ports and freight hubs.