Ballarat has been showered with election promises, including AFL games and a $83 million hospital revamp, as both parties ramped up campaigning in the key battleground.
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At Eureka Stadium, Bulldogs president Peter Gordon and Opposition leader Daniel Andrews pledged on Thursday that if Labor won the election the goldfields city would host at least two Western Bulldogs home games a year for premiership points.
While Premier Denis Napthine promised a $65 million expansion of Ballarat Base Hospital, $10 million for a second cardiac lab, $8 million for better mental health services and a new partnership between the health service and the Royal Children's Hospital.
It is the second time Labor has have tried to woo voters in the key battleground with promises of bringing AFL games to locals in the Ballarat area, which is home to three marginal seats.
An AFL spokesman said the AFL had told the Western Bulldogs that if the venue was upgraded to AFL standard they were prepared to discus fixturing matches in Ballarat during the premiership season.
Bulldogs players paraded guernseys emblazoned with a Eureka flag motif at the announcement.
"You're going to get an amazing mix of a country footy experience but an an AFL standard and I can't think of anything more special than that," Mr Andrews said.
Former premier John Brumby had promised to re-develop the ground so that North Melbourne could play premiership season games there, but the Liberals won the 2010 election. Labor promised a $31.5 million upgrade of the stadium earlier this year.
Premier Denis Napthine spent Thursday in the goldfields city, promising a $65 million expansion of Ballarat Base Hospital, $10 million for a second cardiac lab, $8 million for better mental health services and a new partnership between the health service and the Royal Children's Hospital.
Dr Napthine said the Coalition's plan to upgrade the busy hospital would create an extra 96 beds, and involved new money.
"This is a health service that is really delivering for Ballarat and the whole region," he said.
"We as a government are pleased to work with them to provide the infrastructure and the recurrent funding to provide services here in Ballarat to meet the needs of a growing community."
The $65 million expansion would take place during the next term of government.
Health Minister David Davis said the new link between the Ballarat hospital and the RCH would ensure more children were treated closer to home, eliminating the need to travel to Melbourne.
Work has already commenced on a $46 million expansion at the Ballarat Base Hospital which will include 60 beds and day treatment facilities in a new three-storey building.
The expansion, due to be completed by mid-2016, will also include a new helipad and multi-deck carpark.
With Pat Nolan, Matthew Dixon and Kate Hagan
