In the thick of election pledges, Geelong’s super suburb is set to benefit.
Kyle Pollard reports
ARMSTRONG Creek is set to be one of the big winners in the fallout of the knife edge Federal election. The Gillard Government is expected to take a keen interest in the area as Labor looks to solidify its marginal hold in Corangamite. The seat was the most hotly contested in Australia, with just 770 votes separating returning Corangamite MP Darren Cheeseman and Liberal candidate Sarah Henderson. Mr Cheeseman held the seat by an 0.4 per cent margin. With a marginal seat comes a string of promises and Armstrong Creek was in the thick of the pledges.
Mr Cheeseman said in a statement his top three priorities were funding for the Armstrong Creek hospital, priority roll-out of the broadband network and the delivery of the Geelong fast rail and Princes Highway duplication. The hospital, which has been one of the main talking points of the election locally, had Labor promising to fund the lion’s share of the multimillion- dollar project. Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the Federal Government could not offer a dollar figure until the State Government finished its planning phase. ‘‘We are committed to funding 60 per cent of all (hospital) capital investments into the future,’’ Ms Roxon said. "The planning and the decisions about where new hospitals go is still an issue for the State and they have made that (Geelong) commitment, so our partnership will deliver that hospital at a time when it is needed for the community."
The region is also set to benefit from the National Broadband Network, with a promise of high-speed broadband to be delivered to 95 per cent of Corangamite residents. The growth corridor will also receive $10 million for water recycling in Torquay’s northern residential area, which will be Armstrong Creek’s closest southern neighbour. Barwon Water managing director Michael Malouf said the pipeline would ensure an alternative water supply. "This scheme will deliver water security in a changing climate and, along with nearby Armstrong Creek, from one of the largest dual pipe developments in the state," Mr Malouf said.