Hand it to Hawkey: Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke, right, gives Premier John Brumby, second from right, a helping hand on the campaign trail in Geelong. Picture: Tommy Ritchie 57143
Erin Pearson
A RE-ELECTED Labor State Government would invest $45 million into Geelong’s arts precinct, Premier John Brumby has announced.
Mr Brumby visited Geelong on Wednesday with former Prime Minister Bob Hawke to reveal a Labor Government would spend $30 million to upgrade Geelong Performing Arts Centre and contribute $15 million to redevelop the city’s library and heritage centre.
“We know that Geelong is growing and thriving,” Mr Brumby said.
“Labor wants to take our commitment to Geelong to the next level by investing in building a world-class arts and cultural centre through a new, redeveloped GPAC and a cutting-edge Geelong Library and Heritage Centre.”
Mr Brumby said the redeveloped library and heritage centre would be larger and more modern with the latest technology.
“The new centre will include 200,000 library collection items, a children’s exploration and discovery zone and will serve as a base for the delivery of extensive outreach services across the region,” he said.
Geelong’s council has set aside $20 million for the $50 million project but would still need the Federal Government to match the Victorian Labor commitment.
Mr Brumby said the $30 million GPAC refurbishment would include an upgrade of four dance studios and dressing rooms, transformation of The Church theatre into a stand-alone music venue, an office space upgrade and a new Playhouse Theatre foyer.
Liberal candidate for Geelong Alastair Thomson accused Mr Brumby of throwing money around.
“This is another desperate announcement from a desperate Brumby Government that has neglected Geelong for 11 years and now thinks it can throw money around to distract attention from its failures,” Mr Thomson said.
“A coalition government would invest in practical local initiatives like upgrading Bell Park Sports and Recreational Club and ensure basic services are restored to a level the community expects.”
