By EMMA SUN
WITH the Federal Election wrapped up, Yarra Ranges residents can now look forward to seeing their elected MPs move on to fulfilling their promises.
The Mail has put together a list of election pledges made by Casey MP Tony Smith and La Trobe MP Jason Wood.
The electorate of Casey covers hills townships including Mount Evelyn, Silvan, Wandin, Monbulk, part of Montrose, Kallista and Kalorama.
As part of his campaign, Mr Smith’s announcements included:
– A Green Army to undertake restoration work on the Mount Evelyn Aqueduct Walk,
– A Green Army to work in Monbulk on improving walking trails, improving recreational access to bushland around the Monbulk Aquatic Centre, supporting the Monbulk Landcare Group in works at the former caravan park and help with weed control,
– $15,000 to construct shelters and resurface the Monbulk Reserve netball courts; and,
– $45,000 towards the construction of netball change facilities at the Mount Evelyn Football Netball Club.
Mr Smith said he looked forward to seeing all of his commitments come to fruition, with the Green Army projects and the Mount Evelyn netball facilities set to start next year.
The La Trobe electorate encompasses hills townships including Belgrave, Cockatoo, part of Emerald, part of Ferntree Gully, Ferny Creek, part of Gembrook, Macclesfield, Mt Dandenong, part of Olinda, Sassafras, Tecoma and Upwey.
Mr Wood, who has taken over from Labor MP Laura Smyth, has made numerous announcements adding up to more than $5.8 million for the hills area, including:
– $1.5 million for a new basketball centre at Emerald Primary School,
– $500,000 to redevelop the clubrooms at Emerald’s Chandler Reserve,
– $50,000 for new lighting at Olinda Recreation Reserve,
– $250,000 towards major renovations at the South Belgrave Sporting Precinct,
– $500,000 for a new pavilion for the Upwey Tecoma Community Recreational and Sporting Hub,
– $2.4 million towards a bushfire management program in the hills,
– $450,000 towards a CSIRO wandering trad noxious weed eradication program; and,
– $150,000 towards a unique native flora and fauna tour in Kallista.
Mr Wood said he looked forward to getting all the projects underway and completed.
