WITH the amount of attention the Redlands has received over the three weeks leading up to Saturday's state election, the cynical voting public would be comfortable in saying that we have been well and truly pork-barrelled.
All candidates in the three local seats of Cleveland, Capalaba and Redlands have come up with some astounding promises that would make this place a utopia, if they all ended up reality. Of course, all these election promises are compliant on those who make them, being elected.
The funding promises are across the board benefiting schools, hospitals, buses, community and clubs but all come with a price tag that would raise eyebrows when it comes down to the nitty gritty of funding.
The LNP is massaging its member for Cleveland Mark Robinson with promises of a $300,000 artificial reef at Wellington Point, refurbishing the Redlands Dental Clinic and equipment for the Cleveland School Dental Clinic.
Surprisingly, no mention was made of a much needed sports hall for Cleveland State High School.
The LNP's Capalaba MP Steve Davies is promising similar school dental support and suggesting health services in the Redlands will benefit from Premier Campbell Newman's promise to boost health services with an extra 93 doctors, 325 nurses and 89 health practitioners.
The LNP has rolled out the old Eastern Busway agenda with promises to spend $50 million in extending the link from Coorparoo to Carindale in the proposal that will see it eventually reach Capalaba.
The LNP candidate for Redlands Matt McEachan isn't missing out on the fun with announcing shade sails worth $85,000 for Redland Bay State School, $500,000 for Redland Hospital's residential aged care unit, $75,000 for Redland Junior Rugby League Club's kitchen plus traffic lights for the Anita Street intersection.
The ALP candidates in all three seats Deb Kellie, Tracey Huges and Don Brown, are advocating along party lines with extra funding for nurses and teachers.
Likewise, Greens' candidates, David Keogh, Amanda White and Erin Payne, have all signed up for statewide initiatives that will benefit all three electorates including cutting public transport fares back to 2010 prices and an investment in solar energy programs.
Independent candidate Sheena Hewlett wants a police station at Victoria Point, along with road upgrades.
Yes, what a wonderful place it would be if all these promises became reality. The influx of heavyweight politicians from across all parties has also brought the Redlands into focus for this election.
With them has come all these promises, that in reality few will ever see the light of day after the election this weekend.
