More to better: Transport Minister Martin Pakula join Labor MPs Lisa Neville, Ian Trezise and John Eren to announce a train travel pledge this week.
Andrew Mathieson
TRAINS would run every 20 minutes between Geelong and Melbourne during off-peak travel times under a re-elected Brumby Government, Transport Minister Martin Pakula has announced.
The pledge on Wednesday was the latest carrot for votes as both major parties swamped the Geelong region with pre-election promises and policies.
Labor also vowed $20 million to duplicate Bellarine Highway to Marcus Hill and $6 million for its 2006 pre-election promise of “continuous parkland” between Geelong and Barwon Heads.
Other Labor promises included $500,000 for redevelopment of Torquay Football and Netball Club and Spring Creek Community Events Centre.
The Liberals countered with pledges including $1.5 million for Torquay’s proposed Taylor Park multi-purpose facility, $750,000 for the town’s community and civic precinct and $800,000 for boosting manufacturing jobs in Geelong.
Liberal Bellarine candidate Kurt Reiter also announced $4 million for Borough of Queenscliffe to fix roads and bridges and to develop its foreshore between Queencliff’s ferry terminal and pier.
Amid the promises independent candidates Keith Oakley, for South Barwon, and Bellarine hopeful Stephen Juhasz launched their campaigns with polices of “listening, listening and listening” to constituents.
“Enough is enough,” they said.
