By Laura Michell
A sister campus to the Northern Hospital will be built in Mernda should the Liberal and National parties win the November 26 state election.
The $300 million pledge is one of more than a dozen election promises made by the Liberals and Labor for the Yan Yean electorate.
Retiring Labor MP Danielle Green has held the seat, which takes in Doreen, Mernda, the Whittlesea township, Yarrambat and part of Donnybrook, since 2002. It is considered to be a very safe seat, with Labor enjoying a margin of 16.9 per cent over the Liberal Party.
Combined, the two major parties have pledged close to $400,000 million for the electorate.
The Liberals have made more $342 million in election pledges for Yan Yean.
Liberal leader Matt Guy has promise to build the Plenty Valley Hospital on the site of the Mernda Community Hospital – currently under construction by Labor – to relieve pressure on the Northern Hospital in Epping.
He said facilities to be provided in the first stage will include an urgent care centre with a dedicated children’s treatment area, a day surgery centre, 100 hospital beds and a maternity ward.
Labor said it will proceed with the community hospital, which will provide services such as dialysis and chemotherapy and public dental care
The Liberal Party’s funding pledges also include $14.5 million for Whittlesea Secondary College, $15 million for the Mernda aquatic centre, $280,000 for the Whittlesea Showgrounds, $120,000 for the Laurimar Reserve masterplan and $200,000 for a home for the Doreen RSL.
Liberal candidate for Yan Yean Richard Welch has also promised that a Liberal state government will rebuilt Whittlesea police station, however no funding commitment has been made.
Labor has made more than $32 million in funding pledges, including $20 million for stage two of the Mernda Regional Aquatic and Sports Centre and $11.7 million to upgrade Whittlesea Secondary College.
Labor candidate for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage has also promised $800,000 for Hazel Glen Netball Club, $50,000 for the Whittlesea Show and that Labor will start work on stage two of the Yan Yean Road upgrade, however she is yet to announce how much funding the project will receive.
Neither Ms Kathage or Mr Welch answered questions from Star Weekly about whether their parties were more focussed on Yan Yean than neighbouring electorates, where fewer election promises have been made.
Mr Welch said he was committed to driving down the cost of living and fixing roads.
“I am running because I am passionate ensuring this community can deal with the growth that has placed significant pressure on our local health system, roads, and infrastructure,” he said.
Ms Kathage said she wanted to provide better schools, public transport and hospitals and safer roads.
t takes investment in sport, transport, health and education infrastructure to support a community and only Labor will continue delivering the essential projects families in Yan Yean need and deserve.”
