By Natasha Fujimoto, Stephanie Holliday and Deanne Jeffers
WITH the state election only two weeks away, the campaign is heating up. Following last week’s visit by Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie, who came to Shepparton to discuss fast-tracking the Shepparton Bypass, the Coalition Government has committed $260M for stage one of the project.
Calls to begin works on the Bypass have been made recently by Greater Shepparton Council, the Shepparton Bypass Action Group, Victorian National Party MPs and residents and business owners ahead of the election, reports Stephanie Holliday.
“The current causeway can no longer safely and efficiently support existing traffic volumes – around 30,000 vehicles travel along it each day and those numbers are growing,” Senator McKenzie said.
Announcing the funding on Tuesday, Leader of the Nationals, Peter Walsh said, “As the Shepparton and Mooroopna communities recover from the recent floods, it has become even more apparent how necessary a second river crossing is.”
National’s candidate, Kim O’Keeffe added, “Over the past 30 years the Shepparton population has boomed and it’s only going to continue, we need action on this now, not in another 30 years.”
The Coalition also pledged $20M to makeover the Shepparton Sports Stadium.
Standing alongside Shadow Minister for Sport, Cindy McLeish, Liberal MP Wendy Lovell, Kim O’Keeffe, Greater Shepparton mayor Cr Shane Sali and Cr Geoff Dobson, Liberal candidate Cheryl Hammer stated that the redeveloped Shepparton Sports and Events Centre would be, “the absolute crown jewel of the sports precinct.”
With further federal and local government funding still in the pipeline, the new sports stadium will feature six new multi-use courts, including a show court with a seating capacity of up to 3,000, as well as a new wet area and amenities, administration hub and carpark, reports Natasha Fujimoto.
The redevelopment also promises to generate around 235 jobs as well as an estimated $12.3M for the local economy as a result of tourism and spending.
