Golden Plains Shire Council welcomes the State Government Election to be held on Saturday 26 November, 2022.
In the lead up to the election, Council has been advocating for bi-partisan commitments for valuable community infrastructure and important services across the Shire. The new boundaries released in 2021 have placed the majority of Golden Plains Shire townships in three state electorates: Geelong, Eureka and Ripon.
State Election: Eureka Electorate
In 2022, the Golden Plains Shire townships in the new electorate of Eureka include Wallinduc, Rokewood, Shelford, Teesdale, Inverleigh, Dereel, Enfield, Meredith and Lethbridge.
In the electorate of Eureka, Council has advocated for commitments for the following priority projects in the Eureka electorate:
Teesdale Changerooms Upgrade: $1.5 million to build two new, female friendly changerooms, inclusive of amenities that meet the minimum AFL Victoria Requirements for a local level facility.
✓ On 18 October, the Labor Party announced an election commitment of $1.5 million towards new female-friendly change rooms at the Don Wallace Recreation Reserve if the Australian Labor Party is re-elected at the State election in November.
Inverleigh Recreation Reserve Lighting Upgrade: $420,000 to fund 150 lux lighting and drainage on oval 2, supporting greater participation and training at Inverleigh Recreation Reserve.
Maude Community Hub: $350,000 to deliver a new pavilion at Maude Recreation Reserve, featuring a large social room suitable for community events, functions and meetings, as well as a viewing deck at this new accessible location.
Lethbridge Changerooms Upgrade: $1.5 million to build two new, female friendly changerooms, inclusive of amenities that meet the minimum AFL Victoria Requirements for a local level facility.
Meredith Cricket Nets: $250,000 to deliver a new cricket facility in Meredith, inclusive of three new training pitches and the provision of power to support club activities.
Meredith Heritage Building: $350,000 to upgrade the kitchen, toilet, heating, ventilation and air conditioning at the historic Meredith Shire Hall.
State Election: Geelong Electorate
In 2022, the south-eastern growth area of Golden Plains Shire joins the electorate of Geelong, with residents in Bannockburn, Russells Bridge and Gheringhap now voting to elect the Member for Geelong for the next term.
In the electorate of Geelong, Council has advocated for commitments for the following priority projects:
Midland Highway Duplication: $275 million for the duplication of the Midland Highway from Bannockburn to the Geelong Ring Road.
Bannockburn Family Services Centre Expansion: $750,000 to expand the Bannockburn Family Children’s Services Centre (BFSC) to support an additional 60 kindergarten places in the growing south of the Shire.
Bannockburn BMX/Pump Track: $550,000 for a new BMX/pump track at the skate park in Bannockburn, home to the Shire’s only high school and a rapidly growing youth population.
Bannockburn Recreation Precinct Upgrade: $4.65 million to deliver a new synthetic junior sports oval for junior football (soccer), Australian Rules, Little Athletics, hockey and cricket.
24 Hour Police: A commitment to fund a 24-hour service at Bannockburn Police Station, improving community safety and reducing crime in Bannockburn and surrounding towns.
Reinstatement of the Bannockburn to North Geelong rail service: A commitment to reinstate passenger rail from Bannockburn to Geelong, supporting transport and access to Geelong and Melbourne for residents in the Shire’s south.
✓ On 31 October, the Liberal Party announced an election funding commitment of $170m for a Melbourne-style rail network centred around Geelong, offering trips to Bannockburn, Werribee, Cola and Bell Post Hill, if the Coalition is elected at the State election in November.
State Election: Ripon Electorate
In 2022, communities in the Shire’s north including Linton, Scarsdale, Smythesdale, Haddon, Ross Creek and Napoleons will move out of the former seat of Buninyong into the District of Ripon.
In the electorate of Ripon, Council has advocated for commitments for the following priority projects:
Smythesdale Sub-Regional Play Space: $2.2 million for a new play space featuring age-diverse play elements, street furniture, barbeques, shade structure and accessible public toilets, co-located with the Smythesdale Skate Park.
24-Hour Ambulance Station: A new 24-hour ambulance station to better serve the northern townships of Golden Plains Shire, who currently experience notably poor ambulance response times.
Northern Streetscapes Project: $1.3 million to deliver Stage Two of the Northern Streetscapes Project to beautify the town centres of Linton, Scarsdale and Smythesdale, increasing visitation to the northern corridor of the Shire.
Linton Library Restoration: $475,000 to deliver the restoration of the historic Linton Library.
Linton Electronic Scoreboard: $75,000 for an electronic scoreboard at the Linton Recreation Reserve, elevating the infrastructure at the reserve for the growing community.
Public Bus Network: A commitment to extend Ballarat’s public bus service to Smythes Creek, Smythesdale and Scarsdale, providing greater access to public transport in the north of Golden Plains Shire.
✓ On 1 June, the Liberal Party announced an election funding commitment to extend the bus network from Ballarat to Smythesdale and Haddon, if the Coalition is elected at the State Election in November.
Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble says Council is dedicated to advocating for commitments that benefit and support the people and townships of Golden Plains Shire.
Following the State Election, each electorate will receive funding to deliver the promises of the political party who forms government, so our focus is on securing bi-partisan commitments for Golden Plains Shire.
Golden Plains Shire Councillors, CEO Eric Braslis and I have been meeting regularly with the MPs and candidates for the electorates of Eureka, Ripon and Geelong. We have travelled with them to visit towns across the Shire, meeting locals and showing the locations of our priority projects.
In Golden Plains Shire, we have 56 communities so we know that Federal Election commitments won’t reach all the corners of the municipality, but every dollar of government investment that’s secured for our priority projects saves money in Council’s budget and allows for more money to be redirected to smaller townships and for other important and on-going works across the Shire such as improving roads, health and wellbeing, caring for the environment and general service delivery.
In the lead up for the State Election, we are welcoming meaningful and valuable commitments for the people and communities of Golden Plains. Every commitment secured will be reported by Council back to our residents to help voters make a decision on election day.
High-resolution images of Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble at the location of Council’s 18 priority projects for the State Election are available on request. Please email [email protected].