By BRIDGET SCOTT
A NEW Emerald community hub and parenting facility in Koo Wee Rup is at the top of Cardinia shire’s wish list in the lead-up to the state election.
Cardinia shire Mayor Graeme Moore said the council will continue to work with both sides of politics in the lead-up to the election, with a number of aims in mind.
“Council has met with key ministers and shadow ministers and will continue to engage with the major political parties until the election,” Cr Moore said.
“Cardinia shire is a great place to live but a gap already exists between the quality of infrastructure and services enjoyed by those living closer to Melbourne’s CBD compared to residents in outer metropolitan areas, including Cardinia shire.
“More appropriate funding is needed to prevent this gap from widening.”
Other priorities for the council include improved bus services, the Thompsons Road extension, the airport, Bunyip food belt, construction of Lang Lang bypass and the duplication of the McGregor Road railway crossing.
Cardinia shire chief executive officer Gary McQuillan touched on a few of these issues at his annual CEO address last Wednesday, and mentioned key economic drivers for the area.
Cr Moore said it was important for people in Cardinia shire to have the same opportunities as those closer to the city.
“Suburbs closer to the CBD are, for the most part, already established – roads, schools and hospitals are built, services are in place and population growth is limited.
“It’s a very different story in Cardinia shire but residents deserve the same opportunities and quality of life,” he said.
“That means we need more local jobs to cut commuting times, improved road and public transport networks, more schools and TAFEs and increased recreation, health and aged care facilities.”
Many of these issues have been ongoing for Cardinia with residents from Emerald disappointed that the old police station was not created into a new hub for the town.
However, at a council meeting earlier this year, Cr Brett Owen said the town deserved a “first rate facility” and it would be in the forefront of the council’s mind in the lead-up to the election.
It will also lobby for the Lang Lang bypass to ease stress and congestion through the main township.
The council has said a bypass would “allow more efficient access to sand extraction sources and markets” and also reduce safety implications with a reduction in high volume vehicles passing through the main town centre.
