The region’s political and civic leaders are tipping big things for the region in 2018.
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With the next state election to be held in November, South West Coast MP Roma Britnell said her New Year resolution was to “win the election and get the state back on track”.
Ms Britnell said she frustrated the region was not getting its fair share, despite its value to the state.
“We can’t be the best when we have the worst roads,” she said.
“We are one of the few areas with employment opportunities but we cannot expect to attract people without the right assets.”
Western District MP James Purcell said he’d given up New Year resolutions. “They’re only made to be broken,” he said.
“This year I want to have a serious go at the road network and safety, particularly the number of international drivers on our roads and the safety of the people who live there.
“It’s not good enough. International drivers should do a mandatory test either before they are allowed to rent a car or before they leave home, perhaps using a mobile app.
“I’m also talking to the Premier and the Treasurer about getting funding in the Budget for Reid Oval, the enclosed harbour and a new library.”
Warrnambool mayor Robert Anderson said he was looking forward to some positive things for 2018. “It’s an election year so it’s going to a surprise packet,” Cr Anderson said.
He said he would be lobbying for state funding for the Reid Oval upgrade, a new library in conjunction with South West TAFE.
“The other big thing will be the stage 2 of the Liebig Street renewal from Koroit Street down to Timor Street,” Cr Anderson said. He said the works would start on the northern end in February and would take about nine months to complete.
Following discussions with businesses, it had been decided to do both sides of the road at the northern end first to allow restaurants to be easy accessed up until the May Races, he said. In the middle of the year the two lanes at the bottom end of Liebig Street would start.