State and federal Labor push back on call to fund Stage 2 of pool

STATE and federal Labor representatives on the Bellarine Peninsula say it is not up to them to find funding for Stage 2 of the North Bellarine Pool.
At their meeting last week, the City of Greater Geelong council resolved that the Drysdale Sports Precinct was the better of two possible sites for the facility.
Stage 1 of the proposed centre will have a 50-metre pool, multipurpose spaces, change facilities and a pavilion.
The city has allocated $750,000 towards the facility in its 2020-21 budget, alongside a $10 million commitment from the Coalition Government.
Ahead of the meeting, Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson said the state Labor government had to show support for local residents by committing funding to Stage 2.
“While the Morrison Government is delivering $10 million to fully fund a 50-metre outdoor pool and change rooms in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong, we need state Labor government funding for a proposed indoor pool and ancillary facilities to be built adjacent to the outdoor pool.
“State Labor needs to step up and support North Bellarine.”
Bellarine Labor MP Lisa Neville said the pool was “a federal government commitment and it’s up to Sarah Henderson to fund and deliver the entire project that she promised the community”.
“Neither council nor federal government have engaged with us on a potential Stage 2 of the North Bellarine Pool project at any point.
“At the last election we committed $5 million to Stage 2 of the Drysdale precinct and we’re delivering on that. This is in addition to $3.5 million provided in 2014 to fund Stage 1 of the project.”
Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker said she was concerned the Coalition’s $10 million would “not go nearly far enough”.
“The Bellarine community and the reference group have told me loud and clear they want more than just a 50-metre outdoor pool. I stand with them and want to make sure the community’s vision becomes a reality.
“The Morrison Government has committed to this pool project but has under-delivered on the funding required to provide people in the North Bellarine with a fully-fledged aquatic facility with an indoor pool and hydrotherapy facilities.
“In contrast, the Morrison Government pledged $20 million towards a Surf Coast aquatic centre. They should do the same for the Bellarine. Both are experiencing massive population growth and both communities deserve the same facilities.”