Big year ahead in Bass electorate for MP

AFTER an incredibly close election win last year, Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale has got her sights set on the next four years with more to do and plenty of election promises to implement. 

The State Labor Government had certainly promised a lot for the electorate, which included:

• $290 million to deliver the second stage of works at Wonthaggi Hospital, a major redevelopment that delivers extra beds, a new birthing complex and a new outpatient clinic.

• $6.7 million on upgrading Wonthaggi Primary School

• $5.3 million on upgrading San Remo Primary

• $16.7 million for jetties and boating facilities including two new jetties in Warneet, an expansion at Cowes and upgrades to boat ramps and carparks at Inverloch, Lang Lang and Tooradin.

• $2.15 Million towards a new modern pavilion and revamped skate park at Tooradin Rec Reserve

• $200,000 towards Corinella Boating and Angling Club’s new community club rooms.

• Three new schools in the Clyde area

Speaking about the election, Ms Crugnale said she always knew it was going to be close and come down to the last vote.

“With or without the redistribution and big changes to the boundary, I never once took anything for granted. You keep putting yourself out there, doorknock, street stalls, markets, phone calls, conversations with community members at every turn and a big shout out to our branch members, friends and supporters who were out and about also during the campaign and helping in a myriad of ways – it was a big team effort and my family and I are so grateful for their support.

“Each conversation we had was important and valued because you get an insight into what matters to people, their families, communities, their area. It’s an opportunity to learn about what needs attention, see if it already aligns with our social and infrastructure agenda, a funding program, a support or service and if not, go in and fight for it.”

Due to the electoral boundary redistribution, which took place during the last election, Jordan was out and about in the new communities from Tooradin to Pearcedale, Devon Meadows and Cranbourne South in the Casey Council area early on, connecting in with schools, kinders, local community groups, businesses and service groups like the CFA.

Priorities

To kick off 2023, the Premier and Health Minister paid a visit to the Wonthaggi Hospital to get a glimpse at the recently completed expansion.

“What’s great about the Stage One building is that it already contains a future expansion area which means it is ready to be fitted out. There are two shells (empty spaces) I am certainly pushing we get on with it through a Stage 2 early works package and get maternity, diagnostics, pharmacy up and running as we masterplan the next big build for the site.

“It was part of our meet and thank the BCH team and ‘show and tell’ tour with the Premier and Health Minister recently. At the moment 300 women birth outside of the catchment and by having a higher level maternity birthing complex here means they can be close to home – which is ideal for them, their partners and families.”

Jordan explained that in the upcoming State Budget, many of the election commitments will be either fully or staged funded depending on its construction readiness.

“As an example, what happened last election with our commitments for Cowes, Lang Lang and Koo Wee Rup primary schools saw the first budget release 10 per cent of the total allocation for planning and design. The VSBA work with the school who then appoint architects etc and the subsequent budget sees the remainder when the project is ready to start construction.”

“This is where I hope to see an early works package for the Victorian Health Building Authority and Bass Coast Health to get on with fitting out the spaces within the Stage 1 Building.”

Looking ahead, Jordan will be advocating for a mental health hub to be established in Wonthaggi with outreach to the Waterline Towns and Phillip Island, after the government had promised one for Leongatha. 

“The Mental Health Hub would be similar to the model of our Orange Door, where people access supports and referrals in the one place, so they aren’t having to navigate a system and services by themselves or with their families.”

Jordan was also queried about the next stage of the Bass Coast Distinctive Area and Landscape program, after it’s draft finalisation was delayed due to the number of submissions received. 

The draft Bass Coast Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) and all written submissions received were referred to the Distinctive Areas and Landscapes Standing Advisory Committee by the Minister for Planning during October 2022.

“Technically the Minister could have just signed off the draft and we would have met our election commitment timewise … but we need to do this well and make sure this beautiful part of Victoria continues to be a great place to live, work and visit and ensure we make the right decision to preserve what we value here.”

The hearings are scheduled for March 6 – April 27.

Other projects on Ms Crugnale’s to do list include: “Apart from making sure we deliver on our election commitments and also the many projects and programs already underway from the Community Hospital on Phillip Island, to the SES in Wonthaggi, major upgrade to the Bass Coast Specialist School, supporting our business, creative, tourism and agriculture sectors  - I’ll be fighting for our Dudley Campus to be rebuilt, rail extended to Clyde, the old Wonthaggi McBride campus visioned and moved along by Council which will come back to us for significant funding, our landmark ‘Big Housing Build’ investment into social and affordable housing continue, better public transport and modern timetabling, a whole of Western Port Management Plan and continuing to work with our schools, clubs and community organisations to make sure they apply for the myriad of grants we have on offer. We are also here to help people with state government related matters.”