In the busy campaign for the marginal federal electorate of Corangamite, both major party candidates made significant pledges to fund valuable projects in Golden Plains over the weekend.
On Friday 26 April, Labor Party candidate Libby Coker visited the Golden Plains Soccer Club and promised $832,000 to build dedicated female friendly change rooms at the Bannockburn Soccer Facility, if the Labor Party wins the election on 18 May.
On Saturday 27 April, media outlets published news of a pledge by Liberal Party candidate Sarah Henderson for $3.2 million to construct a new roundabout at the entrance of Bannockburn, if the Liberal National Party is returned to government at the Federal Election.
Finally, on Sunday 28 April, Labor Party candidate Libby Coker made another commitment to the voters of Golden Plains: $500,000 for an upgrade to the club rooms at the Inverleigh Sporting Complex, if the ALP forms government following the Federal Election. This is the second significant commitment to this project with Federal Member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson MP also announcing $500,000 for the club rooms upgrade on 6 April, with the money fully funded in the Federal Budget.
All three projects that received election pledges are identified Priority Projects that Council has lobbied the State and Federal Governments to deliver for the people of Golden Plains Shire. These projects were also on Council’s Federal Election wish list, published on 12 April, as was the Lethbridge lighting project that received bi-partisan commitments of $100,000 last week.
Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey says Council welcomes these federal election commitments by both major parties and looks forward to updates of bi-partisan support for these worthy projects.
“Golden Plains is in the enviable position of having significant voting influence in the most marginal seat in the Federal Election, which is valuable for all residents of the Shire. These Federal Election commitments to deliver key infrastructure in Corangamite towns means that Council can redirect its funds for other projects in the Shire’s smaller and northern towns. That’s how we get the best for everyone in Golden Plains.”
Bannockburn Soccer Change Rooms
The Bannockburn Soccer Change Rooms project features new female friendly change rooms built on the existing structure to service the second soccer pitch. The scope of works includes home and away unisex change rooms, referee and medical rooms, accessible toilets and undercover viewing canopy for spectators, storage, and landscape works. The development of the second pitch at the Golden Plains Soccer Facility is funded and will be ready for play in April 2020.
“Female participation in sport is strongly supported by Council and new female change rooms will solve the Golden Plains Soccer Club’s current scheduling issues, encouraging more women to enjoy playing soccer in Bannockburn, now and in the future as the town and Shire continues to grow. This project meets Football Federation Victoria’s facility guidelines to schedule games, requiring two change rooms per pitch plus referee room and amenities,” said Mayor Cr Sharkey.
New Roundabout at Bannockburn Entrance
The Bannockburn Township Entrance Safety Project will construct a major roundabout to improve public safety at a problematic and potentially very dangerous intersection at the entrance to the business centre of town. There are several busy entry and departure points that meet at this site including Clyde Road (the main entry to Bannockburn from Ballarat); Shelford-Bannockburn Road (the main entry from Geelong and Batesford); the Bannockburn railway line intersection with Kelly Road; and a private access driveway to Ballarat Station Café. The new road project includes concrete splitter islands at each entry to the roundabout and street lighting to VicRoads’ standards.
“The Bannockburn Community Plan identifies the roundabout as one of the most important local issues for the people of this growing town and Council has long been pushing for government investment for this Priority Project. With more than 10,000 vehicles travelling through the intersection every day and 10 percent of these heavy vehicles, the current intersection creates major traffic flow issues and is a clear safety hazard. At $3.2 million, this vital new roundabout costs more than Council’s entire road maintenance and infrastructure budget for a whole year, so we certainly welcome this valuable funding commitment,” said Mayor Cr Sharkey.
Inverleigh Club Rooms Upgrade
The upgrade of the social rooms of the Inverleigh Football & Netball Club will cater for increased activity at the Inverleigh Sporting Complex, fuelled by the lighting upgrade delivered at the site early last year.
Council has lobbied State and Federal Government for the social rooms upgrade and continues to advocate for the refurbishment of existing dated change rooms and the construction of additional new unisex change rooms that are compliant with AFL Victoria ‘local level’ guidelines to service both ovals.
“Bi-partisan support for the club rooms upgrade at the Inverleigh Sporting Complex is a great outcome and the improved facilities will support the Inverleigh Football & Netball Club to attract more players and increase club membership. A significant upgrade to this valuable local facility will greatly benefit the growing Inverleigh community,” said Mayor Cr Sharkey.