Just three days out from Election Day and it’s been a busy campaign in the marginal federal electorate of Corangamite, part of which sits in Golden Plains Shire.
Today, Wednesday 15 May, Australian Labor Party candidate for Corangamite Libby Coker pledged $60,000 to renovate the Meredith Heritage History Centre, located in the former Meredith Shire Hall, home of the Meredith History Interest Group, if the ALP is elected to government on 18 May.
On Monday 13 May, Liberal Party candidate Sarah Henderson announced a promise of $832,000 for female friendly change rooms to members of the Golden Plains Soccer Club at the Bannockburn Soccer Facility, if the Liberal Party wins this weekend’s election. This commitment matches a pledge for the same funding by Labor Party candidate Libby Coker on 26 April, if the ALP is elected to form government.
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.
In total, Golden Plains Shire has so far attracted eight election promises from the candidates of the two major parties in Corangamite. As well as the new Bannockburn Soccer Change Rooms, both candidates have made the following pledges: $500,000 to upgrade the club rooms at the Inverleigh Sporting Complex and $100,000 for lighting on the Lethbridge Recreation Reserve. In addition, the ALP has promised the renovation of the Meredith Hall and the Liberal Party has promised $3.2 million to deliver a new roundabout at the entrance to Bannockburn.
Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey says Council welcomes these federal election commitments by both major parties and will be working closely with the Federal Government on the timely delivery of promised projects.
“There’s been a great deal of attention on the marginal electorate of Corangamite in the lead up to the election and Council has lobbied both parties to make significant commitments to the people of Golden Plains. We are pleased to have bi-partisan support for three valuable local projects and, with three more days until the election, we welcome any further pledges of funding in Golden Plains.
“With these solid commitments to deliver key infrastructure in Corangamite towns, Council can redirect its funds for other projects in the Shire’s smaller and northern towns, so it’s a good outcome for all residents of our Shire. After the excitement of the Federal Election has passed, Council looks forward to meeting with the elected members for Corangamite and Wannon and talking about ongoing investment in Golden Plains.”