Here are the state election promises Lowan and Ripon constituents should expect under Labor

As the first sitting day of parliament approaches and politicians get to work, here are some of the key promises that Ripon and Lowan should expect to see fulfilled in the next four years. 

Free three-year-old kindergarten

Former Early Childhood Education Minister Jenny Mikakos announced that the party will roll-out free three-year-old kinder for 15 hours per child per week.

For families on low incomes all three-year-old kinder will be free.

Phase one of the roll-out is scheduled for 2020-21, and will include Ararat Rural City, Northern Grampians Shire, Yarriambiack Shire, Hindmarsh Shire and Southern Grampians Shire. 

More paramedics

Former Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford announced a $109 million state-wide boost for ambulance services.

The plan included the appointment of the first seven Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance officers at the Ararat Ambulance Victoria branch.

Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance officers have a higher set of clinical skills, including paediatric care, respiratory management, and managing people who are unconscious.

More river frontage and fish stocks for anglers and boaters

Minister Pulford also announced a plan to open up access to crown land river frontages covered by grazing licences.

Under the plan fish stocking will also grow to 10 million fish per year by 2022.

The government also announced it will abolish boat launching and parking fees, and establish a boating infrastructure authority. 

Sporting facilities will be upgraded

St Arnaud’s Lord Nelson Park will receive $700,000 towards the completion of the Lord Nelson Park upgrade, which includes female-friendly change rooms, facilities for umpires and trainers, meeting spaces, a new canteen, kitchen and first aid facilities. 

Ararat Hospital will get upgraded units 

In November the party pledged $3.9 million to refurbish East Grampians Health Service’s radiology and pathology units. 

Council ratings systems will be reviewed

In November Premier Daniel Andrews announced Labor will launch an inquiry into the council rating system if re-elected.

At the time he said the inquiry would aim to identify changes to improve rates equity, in order to ensure that the burden of rates was fair among all ratepayers.

Mr Andrews did not provide a timeline but said that they “wouldn’t be wasting any time” getting started. 

Safety signs for students

Electronic safety signs will be installed near Marian College along Barkly Street. 

Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said Labor will invest $72,000 to replace the existing static signs with electronic signs. 

Ms Pulford said the new signs would be ready by the first day of term one, 2019. 

Free public Wi-Fi

Labor promised that free Wi-Fi for Ararat would be rolled out by the end of 2020 under it’s  Government’s Connecting Regional Communities Program.

Free and upgraded camp grounds

The party will remove camping fees at 500 basic sites over 70 campgrounds in 19 parks across regional Victoria.

Campers in the Grampians will benefit from a $15 per night cost reduction.

The party will also fund the rejuvenation of four-wheel-drive-tracks, including Grampians Drive, and upgrades for tracks at Mount Cole.

More shearing courses and student accommodation

The government will pour $1.2 million into the development of Certificate III Shearing courses, which it said will be up and running by 2020.

It will also invest $6 million to upgrade student accommodation at Longerenong, Glenormiston and Dookie agricultural colleges. 

More support for the rural LGBTI+ community

In November the party pledged a $200,000 boost to the Pride Events and Festivals Fund, specifically for regional and rural pride events.

Other pledges

Some broader pledges were made for the state as well.

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