D1: I want more trams in Bendigo. I know that in Melbourne they can be as annoying as Tony Greig, but I reckon Bendigo needs them.
We could have lines servicing each corner of the city, with park and ride facilities aplenty easing the no-car-space blues Bendigonians feel most days.
Steve Gibbons and Jacinta Allan were misty-eyed talking about their love of the metal monoliths earlier this week, and while I have no romantic connection to them considering I’m a Bendigo Johnny-Come-Lately, I can see them solving so many problems.
D2: It makes sense, “John”, to at least look into the possibility of trams as an effective mode of public transport.
The environmental benefits are huge and trams could easily ease congestion, especially if park-and-ride facilities were set up in surrounding suburbs.
It would also fit in with the City’s Walk Bendigo theory.
While we are on the topic of improving the city’s amenities, I reckon Bendigonians should be licking their lips with anticipation after AFL supremo Andrew Demetriou’s comments about footy and the World Cup.
Demetriou, in all his wisdom, said a successful World Cup bid could see the cancellation of the footy season and the death of clubs.
While he might be sabre-rattling, Bendigo should be putting its hand up to host games in the 16-week period the MCG would be out of action.
An upgrade is of course needed, but what better way to justify a facelift at the QEO than hosting AFL matches in 2018 or 2022?
D1: Ridiculous rant from Demetriou. I don’t think the big man will be complaining when he’s got world-class stadiums in almost every state funded by the Federal Government.
The risks to AFL clubs are no greater than the harm caused by stadium deals only recently renegotiated by Demetriou.
Bendigo is certainly primed to benefit one way or another from the World Cup.
We deserve another chance at hosting AFL after the lights went out last time, which made us look like a poor cousin of Melbourne that couldn’t afford the electricity bill.
D2: Speaking of electric, the sparks are certainly beginning to fly in the city’s two state electorates, with the Liberal candidates being announced since we last spoke.
Dr Michael Langdon and Anita Donlon seem set on giving the incumbents a run for their money, although the ALP - in particular Bob Cameron - seems to relish the challenge.
Mr Cameron’s political grabs are classic, with my personal favourite being the one comparing the Liberal Party with the Teddy Bears’ Picnic.
You have been around for a while - your thoughts?
D1: I’ll do something that we’re likely to see a lot of from politicians in coming months. I’ll state the obvious: it’s going to be a big year.
I can’t see much changing at the state or federal polls, but having both elections in the same year is certainly going to keep us busy.
What do you reckon will decide Bendigo in both bouts?
D2: I think the ALP will get home comfortably with a 3-0 win. Disarray in the Liberal Party room federally means whoever runs against incumbent Steve Gibbons will have a tough time.
At a state level the two Liberals will fare better - Dr Langdon has shown some good political nous early - but Ms Allan and Mr Cameron should look forward to four more years.
Ms Donlon’s first-up performance in answering “why not?” when asked why she was running will make her campaign to Spring Street very difficult.
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