A dedicated events train platform at Mars Stadium in Ballarat is needed to support the growth of one of Victoria's major regional cities.
Despite the rail line running parallel to the stadium and an events platform being identified as an important project for the city's northern growth zone, Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery, Jacinta Allan, has poured cold water on plans.
During Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) hearings last month, Ms Allan said there was not enough time to deliver the infrastructure, despite taking just 13 months to complete a similar platform at Wendouree.
A dedicated events platform at Mars Stadium would only require a simple concrete structure where spectators can safely board and disembark train services. Further development of the station could take place after the Commonwealth Games are finished.
With the Games coming to regional Victoria in under three years' time, we must do all we can to deliver the infrastructure needed now and into the future, and the Liberals and Nationals call on Minister Allan to reconsider her decision.
Shadow Minister for the Commonwealth Games, David Southwick, said instead of clogging Ballarat's streets with hundreds of shuttle busses, a dedicated train platform would get spectators to and from the stadium safety and effectively.
"As well as ruling out an events platform, Jacinta Allan has shut down any plan to duplicate Creswick Road, and the question on everyone's mind is: why?" Mr Southwick said.
"The Andrews Government should listen to calls from the community, council and industry leaders and build the platform."
Member for Western Victoria Region, Joe McCracken, said the Andrews Government needed to provide certainty to the community that the future of Ballarat was taken into consideration.
"The Commonwealth Games are so important to the development of regional Victoria and we must capitalise on that momentum," Mr McCracken said.
"These Games are about so much more than the two weeks of sport. We must invest in the infrastructure of tomorrow while we have the chance."
