By Parker McKenzie
With early voting opening and Election Day on November 26 fast approaching, candidates in Bayswater and Monbulk have been busy making their final pitches to their constituents.
In Monbulk, Liberal candidate Gareth Ward announced $400,000 in funding towards upgrading the Ferntree Gully Village, Belgrave, Cockatoo and Gembrook shopping strips as a part of a $30 million plan by his party.
In a statement, Mr Ward said getting Monbulk residents to stay and shop local is the primary focus of the community.
“I’m proud to be part of a Liberals and Nationals’ team that’s focused on backing local communities like Monbulk,” he said.
The Labor Party announced a statewide neighbourhood battery program, which Monbulk candidate Daniela De Martino said would see them installed in every LGA in the electorate.
On Facebook, Ms De Martino said the state would invest in batteries throughout Cardinia, Knox and Yarra Ranges.
Bayswater MP Jackson Taylor made two funding commitments for Boronia, promising $2.1 million for St Joseph’s Primary School and $1.2 million for an upgrade of Tormore Reserve if the Labor Party returns to government.
“Boronia Hawks Football Netball and Boronia Cricket Clubs are amazing community groups who deserve the best facilities to grow and play in,” Mr Taylor said.
“I’m stoked to be backing in our grassroots sporting clubs and I can’t wait to watch a premiership win from the new pavilion when it’s complete.”
The Star Mail previously missed an announcement by Liberal candidate for Bayswater Nick Wakeling to fund local conservation groups with $200,000. Friends of Koolunga Reserve, the Friends of Blind Creek Billabong and First Friends of Dandenong Creek will receive the funding if the Liberal Party forms government. ”
Liberal leader Matthew Guy used his party’s campaign launch over the weekend to announce an energy policy to pay supply charges on Victorian power bills for the first half of 2023.
