FOLLOWING this week’s ordinary council meeting, Golden Plains Shire will commit $250,000 to build female-friendly changerooms at the Don Wallace Recreation Reserve.<\/p>\n
While the initial motion did not specify where the $250,000 would come from, an alternate motion introduced by Cr Owen Sharkey was supported by all councillors, and stated the funds would come from the Open Space Reserve.<\/p>\n
The Open Space Reserve consists of funds collected by Golden Plains Shire from developers when they subdivide land and is designed to help the Shire cope with population growth.<\/p>\n
The current balance of the reserve is between $2.8 and $2.9 million.<\/p>\n
“There is no need for anyone here tonight to so say how valuable this is for the community and how it’s needed and how it’s wanted, it’s a no-brainer for us,” Cr Sharkey said.<\/p>\n
“At the end of the day we are taking $250,000 away from somewhere and prior to having this in there, I’m not able to tell where the money is coming from.<\/p>\n
“We’ve just got to explain to the community where the money is coming from.”<\/p>\n
The funding will be combined with $1.5 million allocated by the State Government in a 2022 budget commitment.<\/p>\n
Golden Plains Shire is required to enter into a funding agreement by the end of this financial year, or the $1.5 million will be withdrawn.<\/p>\n
It is expected the project will cost $1.75 million, meaning $250,000 is required from the next year’s Golden Plains Shire budget to cover the financial shortfall.<\/p>\n
“Let’s not forget that the State Government are fantastic for giving us $1.5 million but it’s no different to sending your kids down to the shop with $1.50 when something costs $1.75,” Cr Sharkey said.<\/p>\n
“You have to find the additional money from somewhere.”<\/p>\n
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