Footscray residents have questioned Labor’s priorities after it pledged millions of dollars for the Western Bulldogs to play footy at Ballarat while overlooking the urgent needs of Footscray Hospital.
Labor’s $31.5 million plan to upgrade Ballarat’s Eureka Stadium means the ground could host two or three matches every year – at least two during the AFL premiership season.
Opposition leader Dan Andrews said the new stadium would bring footy closer to families and to country regions.
The Ballarat region electorates of Buninyong, Wendouree and Ripon are held by margins of less than 2 per cent.
But third-generation Footscray resident and community volunteer Ken Betts says the stadium decision is outrageous.
He said the money should be used to improve Footscray Hospital’s 60-year-old buildings.
“Our hospitals are screaming for money,” Mr Betts said. “If you have a sick child, you take them to the hospital, not a football club.”
Maribyrnong mayor Nam Quach said primary services for the community come first.
“Footscray really needs a world-class hospital – everyone in the west goes there for medical needs, and it’s a really old building with poor-quality facilities.
“The city is growing by the second, but medical staff still work at sub-standard facilities,” the mayor said.
Cr Quach wants a redevelopment plan to help the west’s growing communities.
“I propose there be a program for redevelopment where the 60-year-old building, that is asbestos-ridden, be updated. The city of Maribyrnong will work collaboratively to make sure any development is done.
“It’s the only hospital that hasn’t received upgrades. In the west, we’re being treated as door mats.”
Cr Quach said the emergency department at Footscray, especially, needed urgent redevelopment.
A spokesman for Mr Andrews said Labor was the only party to invest in the west’s education, transport and health.
Ebru Halimoff
