By Parker McKenzie
With less than four weeks until the November 26 state election, candidates in the Bayswater and Monbulk electorates were busy making funding pledges, election commitments and announcing their nominations.
In Monbulk, Liberal candidate Gareth Ward and Labor candidate Daniela De Martino each announced several funding commitments for local emergency services, sporting clubs and community groups.
Mr Ward announced $2 million for Monbulk CFA if the Liberal and Nationals parties form government, $100,000, $140,000 and $60,000 for the revitalization of the Gembrook main Street, Ferntree Gully Village and Cockatoo Main Street shops respectively and $40,000 for the Lantern Festival in Belgrave across four years.
“The station has been advocating for funding since 2018, to finally get the station upgraded,” Mr Ward said.
“A need which has become even more pressing since the arrival of their new tanker, which as you can see barely fits in the existing facilities.”
Labor Party candidate Daniela De Martino announced a $2 million upgrade for Wally Tew Reserve and $3 million in funding for St John the Baptist Primary School in Ferntree Gully if the Labor Party is re-elected.
“I was thrilled to be joined by Jackson Taylor MP to announce that a re-elected Andrews Labor Government will deliver $2 million for a pavilion upgrade at Wally Tew Reserve,” Ms De Martino said.
“This money will help Ferntree Gully Cricket Club and Ferntree Gully Eagles Football and Nbetall Club and juniors and community groups that use Wally Tew to grow and thrive.”
She also committed to $50,000 for Cockatoo Country Market, $60,000 for the Philanthropic Collective and $50,000 for the 3MDR radio station in a boost for local community groups.
Bayswater Labor MP Jackson Taylor made a host of election commitments throughout the week.
Topping the list, was a $100,000 grant for Knox Infolink, a Boronia-based not-for-profit providing community meals, information and advocacy for disadvantaged locals.
“the tireless volunteers at Knox Infolink have had the backs of everyone in Knox for more than 30 years,” Mr Taylor said.
“We’re backing them in with $100,000 to do what they do best.”
He also announced a re-elected Labor Government will invest $490,000 to deliver a new dog park and upgrade the existing playground at Wantirna Reserve and supply $50,000 in funding to fit out the pavilion at Fairpark Reserve in Ferntree Gully and $10,000 for Templeton Tennis Club in Wantirna.
The Liberal Party announced a two-year $300 million pilot program for free lunches in schools if the coalition is elected. The program would be rolled out to selected state primary schools in the second half of 2023, with the aim of it being available in all state schools by 2026.
Shadow Minister for Education and Croydon MP David Hodgett said the educational benefits of providing healthy lunches would be a boost to students.
“The research in providing healthy lunches clearly demonstrates improved outcomes in learning, concentration, participation in class, academic performance and attendance at school,” he said.
Artist Nadia Sirninger Rankin will run for the Greens in Bayswater and Michael Ormsby will be their candidate for Monbulk. Both have been contacted for comment.
