$3m more splashed on Surf Coast pool

THE Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre is closer to securing the money it needs to be built, with the state government putting a further $3 million towards the project.

The $3 million grant announced today (Thursday, October 27) was one of 38 projects in rural and regional communities to share in $20 million from the latest round of the the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund (RJIF).

The concept preferred by the Surf Coast Shire already has nearly $40 million of shire, state government and federal government funding committed towards it but will need another $7.55 million more to be fully realised, with the $3 million from the RJIF now reducing the shortfall to $4.55 million.

To be built in Torquay North, the facility with a 25m outdoor pool has been revised down considerably from the original 50m indoor pool concept because of rapidly rising construction costs.

“This is an exciting project for Torquay and the Surf Coast – it will provide our community with a world-class aquatic and health centre that has something for everyone,” South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said.

Labor says the RJIF has backed all of rural and regional Victoria’s 48 local councils and businesses across the state since 2015 to kickstart more than 1,000 projects that have created 13,000 jobs.

“The Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund is part of our record investment to help communities to grow – the 38 new projects we are funding will create jobs and fantastic facilities for regional and rural Victoria,” Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing said.