Tuesday, 20 September 2022

Sandringham electorate election commitments

Mr ROWSWELL (Sandringham) (19:18): (6544) My adjournment matter is for the Premier. Over the past four years, as a champion of our local community, I have worked with many great people, groups and organisations to identify what our community needs to set it up for this generation and for the next. I am very proud to share that plan this evening. An elected Victorian Liberal government will deliver $25 million to secure the future of our Sandringham Hospital to ensure that our community gets the health care that they deserve. This funding will deliver modernisation works to refresh the run-down and tired wards and facilities; the total refurbishment of the Sandy Hospital maternity ward, well used by local mums and families; and the establishment of a Sandringham Hospital community reference group to write the very first Sandringham Hospital community charter.

We will deliver the removal of two dangerous and congested level crossings at Highett, at both Highett and Wickham roads. This commitment has come from the community, who know very well that they could be waiting for up to 30 minutes during peak periods at these intersections.

While the Andrews Labor government have consistently rejected the community’s requests and my requests on their behalf to have these crossings removed, I have listened to residents in Highett and I intend to deliver. We will seek greater protection for the Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary and deliver $100 000 to replace existing sanctuary signage with new clearer signage, install surveillance cameras on buoys that mark the sanctuary boundary, improve education for fishers through the licensing process and direct the Victorian Fisheries Authority to conduct more frequent patrols. We must never take for granted Bayside’s most treasured and significant environmental assets, and I will always fight to protect our Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary.

We will create equal sporting opportunities for both men and women in Bayside. We will deliver $1.5 million to fully upgrade the north pavilion and commence upgrades of the south pavilion at the Trevor Barker Beach Oval, the home of the Sandringham Zebras football club. This commitment towards modern, inclusive facilities will transform Trevor Barker Beach Oval and will help boost female participation in sport.

We will deliver $13.1 million for the essential and world-class upgrade of both Beaumaris and Beaumaris North primary schools: $6.7 million to Beaumaris North Primary School for a new gymnasium and competition-grade, multi-use court, art and performing art and music facilities, a kitchen, change rooms, storerooms and office space; and $6.4 million to Beaumaris Primary School for a new multipurpose sport and performing arts space, including a competition-grade gymnasium, specialist classrooms, a kitchen, change rooms and storerooms. Our children and communities of Beaumaris and Beaumaris North primary schools deserve amazing facilities where they can gather finally as one community. The action that I seek therefore is for the Premier, on behalf of the Victorian Labor government, to match my commitment to our community for the benefit of this generation and the next.