WITH the State Election just two days away, the battlelines have been drawn in regional Victoria - but they seem to have missed Bendigo.
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After a flurry of early visits from Premier Denis Napthine and Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews, it's been more than a month since either leader has publicly set foot in Bendigo.
On the other hand, Dr Napthine has visited Ballarat at least six times since October 29, including the Liberal Party campaign launch in the city on November 9.
He also visited Ballarat on Wednesday this week, and on Saturday.
Mr Andrews visited Sutton Grange on November 4 to announce a new TAFE agricultural centre for Bendigo, but has not visited Bendigo since.
He has also visited Ballarat several times in the last month, including on Tuesday and on Melbourne Cup Day.
La Trobe University Bendigo politics lecturer Ian Tulloch said both parties had now conceded that Bendigo's two seats were likely to remain Labor-held.
"There's no doubt that Bendigo West is in the bag for Labor," he said.
"In Bendigo East, even with Greg Bickley's higher profile, it only takes a small swing against the government to guarantee the seat.
"Both parties probably recognise this and have shifted their focus to Ballarat."
Both Wendouree and Buninyong are marginal seats and could offset swings in Melbourne.
Despite the lack of foot traffic, Bendigo has received a number of promises from both parties over the past few months.
Epsom Primary School, Kalianna School and Bendigo Stadium will each see upgrades regardless of the election outcome. Bendigo TAFE is also in for significant funding commitments.