OPPOSITION leader Matthew Guy is "very keen" to look at potential Bendigo showground upgrades and wants to win back seats in the city.
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"We see that local infrastructure being very important," he said during a one-on-one interview with less than a year until the next state election.
Victoria's Liberal Party is hoping to win Bendigo seats after huge swings away during 2018's landslide loss statewide.
Labor's Jacinta Allan saw her support surge more than seven per cent to 62 per cent of the two party preferred vote in Bendigo East, meaning only 38 per cent of voters endorsed the Liberal Party's candidate above hers.
In Bendigo West, Labor's Maree Edwards share of the two party preferred vote rose above 68 per cent.
Mr Guy says 2022 will bring a different electoral landscape, including a desire for a different style of leadership to Premier Daniel Andrews'.
He said there had been quite a bit of interest from potential Liberal candidates for Bendigo seats.
"We are very pleased about that. I want seats back there in places like Ballarat and Bendigo," he said.
The party expects to reveal its candidates in the new year.
Mr Guy did not make any Bendigo commitments this week but said his party was keen to talk to the council about ideas on its election wish list, including the $4 million it would need from a state government for a showgrounds revamp.
"Upgrading that kind of infrastructure can bring a lot of investment, a lot of interest and a lot of functions to Bendigo. That will allow the private sector - particularly small businesses - to grow," he said.
"That's part of our entire state strategy."
Mr Guy said his government would have a different approach to infrastructure in regional areas than Labor's.
He said Bendigo had not had its fair share of infrastructure money under Daniel Andrews when compared to places like Melbourne.
"I think too much public infrastructure money has been spent in Melbourne in the past seven years - way too much in terms of a proportionate basis.
"We've got a billion dollar Bringing Manufacturing Home policy. Half of that money would be committed to regional Victoria."
That could prove to be an encouraging sign for the council. The most expensive idea on its election wish list is a new business park urgently needed to free up new space for manufacturers.
A state government would need to pay $38 million to make that dream a reality.
More on the 2022 election and Bendigo: 'Keep building' - Premier is forming Bendigo election plan
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