Making the most of the region

THE electorate of Seymour is vast, covering an area of about 6000 square kilometres with about 37,500 voters from parts of the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Nillumbik and Murrindindi shires, and all Mitchell Shire.
The areas surrounding Healesville and Yarra Glen are part of the Seymour electorate and I’m proud the Bracks Government has made a difference for residents of these areas.
Among our achievements is extra HealesvilletoLilydale bus services on Saturdays and improvements to five other bus services across the shire, giving people better access to public transport and better links between suburbs, shopping centres and train stations.
I’d like to thank The Mountain Views Mail for its Fare Go campaign.
It has helped my State Parliamentary colleagues and I press home to the Minister for Transport, Peter Batchelor, how important it is to do more to help local families get to work, further education, health services and leisure via safe, convenient and reliable public transport systems.
In the biggest gas rollout in provincial Victoria since the ‘70s, Yarra Glen in August became the first of eight towns in the Yarra Valley to be connected to natural gas.
The $70 million Natural Gas Extension Program will make a fantastic difference for these residents, reducing the cost of heating and cooking.
The Bracks Government is also working with locals to help promote the best of the Yarra Valley.
Over the past two years we have provided funds to the Yarra Valley Racing Club to help promote its annual Food Wine and Racing Weekend.
We’ve also provided funds to the Healesville and Yarra Glen racing clubs to help upgrade their facilities because we know events at these venues bring visitors and economic activity to the region.
The Jayco Herald Sun Tour, sponsored by the Bracks Government’s Make It Happen in Provincial Victoria Campaign, brought many visitors to the Healesville district as will the many events surrounding the Queen’s Baton Relay next February.
We have allocated $4.5 million across the state to help ensure as many people as possible get involved in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges plans a range of celebrations and activities that make the most of the opportunities presented by the Games the biggest event ever held in Melbourne.
Hosting the Games is about more than sport it’s about jobs, better facilities, cultural identity and bringing people together.
This is just another way the Bracks Government is helping to make this district a great place to live, work and raise a family.