The Federal Election has been set for 18 May 2019, and Golden Plains Shire Council looks forward to a busy campaign in the federal electorates of Corangamite and Wannon.
In the nationally renowned marginal seat of Corangamite, Golden Plains Shire Council has met regularly with the current member Sarah Henderson MP of the Coalition and candidate Libby Coker of the Labor Party, seeking support for key investment in the Shire.
Council also welcomes funding support from the sitting member of Wannon and Minister for Education the Hon. Dan Tehan of the Coalition and candidate Maurice Bill of the Labor Party. Many residents of the northern part of Golden Plains Shire will be Wannon voters for the first time this election and Council looks forward to visits from the candidates.
With the Federal Election fast approaching, Council will be enthusiastic in its lobbying to both major parties, seeking strong bi-partisan commitments to the following vital projects:
- Construction of the duplication of the Midland Highway
- Construction of a new roundabout as part of the Bannockburn Township Entrance Safety Project
- A commitment towards Stage 2 of the Bannockburn Heart including the community stage and village green
- Maude Pavilion Upgrade
- Female friendly change rooms at the Inverleigh Sporting Complex, Rokewood Recreation Reserve and the Bannockburn Soccer Facility
- Installation of lighting at Lethbridge Reserve
As the major kindergarten provider in the Golden Plains Shire, Council is also asking for a bi-partisan commitment to continue the Federal Government’s support for 15 hours of funded kindergarten for children in the year before they start school.
In addition, the Federal Budget recently confirmed national funding commitments to deliver a $500,000 social room upgrade to the clubrooms at the Inverleigh Sporting Complex, as well as the Geelong City Deal and high-speed rail from Geelong to Melbourne, as well as new roads and infrastructure that will benefit the region. In the past month, Council has also secured Federal Government funding for new sports oval lighting at Victoria Park in Bannockburn, an upgrade to Teesdale Turtle Bend Reserve, the replacement of Walls Bridge in Teesdale and Golden Lake Road Bridge in Piggoreet; and three new mobile towers in Teesdale, Maude and Grenville.
Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey says Council will be seizing its unique placement in the Federal Election landscape to secure support for more of the critical infrastructure that the people of Golden Plains Shire Council need, want and deserve.
“Golden Plains is in the enviable position of having significant voting influence in the most marginal seat in the Federal Election. We are determined to make this advantage count, not just for the people in Corangamite but for all residents of Golden Plains Shire.
“Every dollar that the successful Federal Government assigns to deliver key infrastructure in Corangamite towns saves Council money, and those funds can be redirected to deliver more projects in our smaller communities and the townships in the north of the Shire.
“A good example is the recent Federal Government announcement of the $500,000 lighting upgrade at Victoria Park in Bannockburn. Council secured this grant due to the growing population of more than 7,000 people in the Shire’s largest town; which in turn, allowed Council to then invest $115,000 from its sport and recreation budget into partnering with the State Government to upgrade the lights at the Rokewood Recreation Reserve, supporting the local football and netball club that serves Rokewood and Corindhap, two of the smaller towns in our Shire.
“As a fast growing regional municipality in a rate-capping environment, Council is keenly aware that more government investment is necessary to deliver projects to cater to the growing population of our Shire. The upcoming federal election is a great time for both major parties to show their commitment to the people of Golden Plains Shire.”