Liberals look to take back Aston with $7 million pledge to local projects

Knox Council has welcomed commitments from both Labor and Liberal candidates in Aston, while continuing to call for further funding to upgrade local roads and extend tram services.

Aston Labor MP Mary Doyle announced a re-elected Labor Government would provide $1.8 million to redevelop the pavilion at Carrington Park Reserve in Knoxfield and $3 million for the pavilion at Templeton Reserve in Wantirna.

Liberal candidate for Aston Manny Cicchiello has pledged $4.75 million to update the pavilion at Knox Park in Knoxfield, if a Liberal Government is elected.

Who has held Aston recently?

Labor’s Mary Doyle was the first woman to be elected to the seat of Aston in the electorate’s history and the second-ever Labor representative in the seat, securing a 3.6 percent margin in the 2023 by-election following the departure of former MP Alan Tudge.

The last time Labor had won the seat was in 1987.

Liberal candidate Manny Cicchiello is the deputy principal at a large independent Prep-Year 12 school, where he has worked as a teacher for the last 25 years.

He has also served as mayor of Knox Council in 2004.

Knox Council celebrates funding wins

Knox mayor Lisa Cooper said a number of sporting facilities across Knox needed a facelift to bring them up to modern standards and encourage more junior and female participation in sport.

“Knox has 40 clubrooms at its sporting reserves with many built in the ’70s and ’80s that fail to meet contemporary standards and guidelines,” she said.

“This funding will help to deliver modern facilities at these three reserves that meet the growth in junior and female participation in sport.”

Council also welcomed a $2.5 million pledge from Cicchiello for a new Resource and Visitor Centre next to historic Ambleside Park Homestead in Ferntree Gully, if a Liberal Government is elected.

Mayor Cooper said the council also celebrated a $10 million Federal Government commitment towards traffic lights at the intersection of High Street Road and Mowbray Drive in Wantirna South, as well as other safety improvements.

“There have been multiple collisions at this intersection involving vehicles entering and exiting Mowbray Drive,” she said.

“Providing a signalised intersection here will improve pedestrian and cyclist safety and access between the northern and southern estates, and connect with the greater Wantirna cycling link.

“Council is also seeking funding for road and transport projects including the Dorset Road extension, Napoleon and Wellington Road upgrades, the trackless tram between Caulfield and Rowville and Route 75 tram extension.”