Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery, Jacinta Allan, has ruled out a dedicated events train platform at Mars Stadium in Ballarat, which has been identified as an important project for the city’s northern growth zone.
The rail line runs parallel to Mars Stadium and an events platform could be used on future AFL games and events, with the Committee for Ballarat, Commerce Ballarat and Ballarat Council being loud advocates for the project.
During Public Accounts and Estimates Committee hearings today, Ms Allan said the events platform wouldn’t be delivered due to “a factor of time”, despite regional Victoria being announced as the host of the Games more than a year ago.
With tens of thousands of people expected to attend Mars Stadium for the Games, commuters will be forced to rely on shuttle busses to get to and from events, significantly impacting local traffic. A duplication of Creswick Road to stem the increase over the two weeks and beyond was also shut down.
The Andrews Government continues to refuse to clarify what percentage of the $2.6 billion set aside for the Commonwealth Games would be spent on operational costs as opposed to infrastructure needs.
Shadow Minister for the Commonwealth Games, David Southwick, said the platform would be used for decades to come.
“Given the Commonwealth Games will be the biggest event regional Victoria has ever hosted, a dedicated events platform at Mars Stadium shouldn’t be out of the question,” Mr Southwick said.
“The growth and development of Ballarat is crucial to the future of our state. A state-of-the-art stadium in Ballarat deserves and requires its own train platform.”
