Cards on the table

Hamish Heard
Undecided Torquay voters will weigh up major party promises on education, transport links, dogs on beaches, fishing and police when they front tomorrow’s polls.
Liberal candidate for South Barwon Michael King is tipped as the party’s strongest chance to break Labor’s stranglehold on the region.
But he will have to reverse Labor MP Michael Crutch-field’s five per cent margin since winning the seat in 2002.
Both Mr King and Mr Crutchfield have pinned their hopes on education policies for Torquay as they attempt to win over mum-and-dad voters.
Labor has pledged to extend Torquay Primary School to include years seven to nine at the school’s existing site, with classes beginning in 2008.
Mr Crutchfield said the P-9 school was the “first stage” in Labor’s delivery of secondary schooling to the town.
The Liberals have promised to spend an additional $5 million to build a stand-alone years-seven-to-12 school on a dedicated site if Ted Baillieu wins tomorrow.
The Liberals have also promised a new train station between Grovedale and Waurn Ponds to service Torquay via bus links.
Mr King said the “park-and-ride” facility was part of an “integrated transport strategy” that would eventually include Geelong bypass links to the Surf Coast.
Mr King said the train station would be in a “services precinct” including a new police facility to relieve stress on Torquay’s “undermanned and under-resourced” station.
The Liberals would also provide 31 extra police to service the Torquay, Grovedale and Bellarine stations.
Mr Crutchfield’s transport platform hinges on a $125 million overpass linking the Geelong bypass to Anglesea Road and delivery of a Surf Coast Highway link within two terms of government.
Labor has also promised $750,000 to a $1.5 million “multi-purpose centre” to house Torquay Angling Club and Marine Rescue.
Both parties vowed not to widen bans on dog walking.