Three communities in Lowan’s south-west will benefit from funding for upgrades to road safety and sporting infrastructure under a Liberal and Nationals Government.
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy visited Hamilton, Dunkeld and Mirranatwa this week to announce three election commitments, including a pledge to build a new signalised pedestrian crossing at the Ballarat Road and Rippon Road intersection in Hamilton.
The state Labor government cut funding for a school crossing supervisor at the intersection after an audit in 2024, and has repeatedly refused to fund any safety upgrades.
Ms Kealy said local parents whose children used the crossing to get to George Street Primary School and residents in the area had raised concerns for years about the safety of this intersection, which had been the scene of multiple crashes, including one earlier this year.
“I visited this crossing alongside locals only six weeks ago, and there were two near misses in the time I was there,” she said.
“I have written to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety multiple times about this intersection and the community’s request for improved safety measures, but Labor has done nothing.
“Only the Liberals and Nationals will deliver a new signalised pedestrian crossing at the Ballarat and Rippon roads intersection to keep school students, their families and locals safe.”
Ms Kealy also visited Dunkeld Consolidated School – the home of Grampians Cricket Club – to announce funding to convert an existing classroom to new men’s and women’s cricket changerooms, and also pledged funding to resurface courts and replace external fences at Mirranatwa Tennis Club.
The tennis club played a vital role as a gathering place in the aftermath of the 2025 Grampians bushfires, but Ms Kealy said the courts were now close to being unusable.
“The club has existed since the 1940s, and is in many ways the glue that binds the Mirranatwa community,” she said.
“The club is also integral to the continuation of the Cavendish and District Tennis Association.
“Locals have led the charge to upgrade the courts, which would help rejuvenate a community that was impacted physically, mentally and financially by the fires.
“The Nationals’ commitment will complement Southern Grampians Shire Council’s existing budget allocation to ensure these vital upgrades become a reality.”
Ms Kealy said the commitments were part of the Liberal and Nationals’ Fair Share Guarantee, which would lock in 25 per cent of the state’s new infrastructure investment for regional Victoria.
“We know that 25 per cent of Victorians live in regional Victoria, so it’s only fair we receive 25 per cent of new infrastructure funding,” she said.
“I congratulate the many people who have advocated tirelessly for these three projects, including local parents and residents in Hamilton, Mirranatwa Tennis Club, Grampians Consolidated School, Grampians Cricket Club and Southern Grampians Shire Council.
“I look forward to continuing to work with them and communities across the south-west to see these projects through to completion.”