Libs back Inverleigh youth project

FEDERAL election hopeful in the seat of Corangamite, Stephanie Asher, has backed a project aimed at providing young people in Inverleigh with more to do in town.

The Liberal’s pick for the marginal seat, that also covers Bannockburn and parts of greater Geelong, has pledged $700,000 towards the Inverleigh Active Youth Space if the Coalition Government is returned to office on 21 May.

Named a priority project by Golden Plains Shire at the start of the election campaign, the Active Youth Space includes upgrades to the Inverleigh skatepark, a new bike pump track, and the construction of a three-on-three basketball court.

The project came out of community consultation with the town’s young people in 2021 and according to the municipality comes with an overall price tag of $1.4 million to complete all the works.

“This investment is a key part of my local plan for Corangamite and means a better space for local young people and families to get together with friends and get active,” Ms Asher said.

“My plan will expand on the successful Inverleigh Active Youth Space by delivering better accessibility and upgraded active spaces.

“Improving opportunities for physical and social connections will support the health and wellbeing of young people and families across our area.”

The Inverleigh Active Youth Space works have become an unlikely political battleground of late, with the Shire naming it as one of the top five projects for funding during the Federal election campaign in the south of the municipality.

Current Labor Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker, met with young people from Inverleigh in October last year at a pop-up youth event at the town.

While she wouldn’t say if she would match the $700,000 pledge, a spokesperson for Ms Coker did say the community is important to her.

“Libby continues to advocate for facilities for Inverleigh,” the spokesperson said.