MPs offer 10point plan to boost swamp town

By Paul Dunlop
A NEW police station, upgrades to roads, car parking and improved health, childcare and education services have been included on a political plan for Kooweerup.
Federal Flinders MP Greg Hunt and State Bass MP Ken Smith last week unveiled a ‘10point plan’ for the township and pledged to work together to have their goals achieved.
The two Liberal MPs spoke of their hopes for the local community in State and Federal Parliament.
They said Kooweerup was a wonderful town that needed a lift.
Mr Smith called on the State Government to “go the extra mile” and put funding into Kooweerup while Mr Hunt said there were a series of issues that needed to be addressed.
“Kooweerup is a great town that is prepared to work for itself,” Mr Smith said.
“It does not just want a handout, but it needs government support from time to time.”
Residents said they would be monitoring the situation with interest to see what their MPs could bring about.
The SmithHunt 10point plan would:
Replace the portables at the Kooweerup police station with a permanent building;
Upgrade the dangerous intersection of Station Street and Rossiter Road to make it safe;
Rejuvenate the streetscape in the town;
Establish more car parking spaces;
Revitalise the train line and train station;
Ensure the needs of the local hospital – the Kooweerup Regional Health Service – were met;
Deliver more childcare and afterschool care places;
Construct the Kooweerup bypass down the KooweerupPakenham Road, reducing pressure on ClydeFive Ways Road and improving road safety in the town;
Clean up and pave the parking area outside the Kooweerup Primary School; and
Work for an Australian Technical College annex for the town’s secondary college to create additional opportunities for young people.
Mr Smith and Mr Hunt pledged to work with community groups and organisations and Cardinia Shire Council as well as lobbying the State and Federal Governments to try and realise their aims.
Top of the list was replacing the current police station with a decent, permanent building, Mr Smith said.
“We also need to revitalise the current disgraceful railway line and railway station and provide more car parking spaces,” he said.
“This line runs through the middle of the town.”
Mr Hunt said the streets could benefit from a rejuvenation program and proposed a Work for the Dole project.
He said a Kooweerup bypass would be a great improvement to safety in the area.
“Locals overwhelmingly want the trucks out of town,” Mr Hunt said.
Also vital was an upgrade of the intersection of Station Street and Rossiter Road.
“This intersection is dangerous. More needs to be done to ensure that it is safe,” Mr Hunt said.
“Many heavy trucks travel through that area; they use it as a bypass.
“School children are at risk.
“We have three local schools. Kids pass through that area and we have to take steps to protect them and to upgrade the intersection.”