Backflip: Council to splash capital funding on aquatic centre

THE Surf Coast Shire council will backflip on its plan to put no more capital funding towards the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre, voting to splash another $5.25 million to secure a further $4 million in state government cash.

The council has been trying to find the missing $8.5 million needed to realise its preferred option for the $38.5 million project, which would build a 50m indoor pool, warm water program pool, gym, group fitness rooms and allied health rooms at a site in Torquay North.

As the report to councillors at their meeting on Tuesday this week states, the council previously determined “not to make a capital contribution on the basis that it was providing the land for the facility and would fund the operating cost of the centre” and “hoped that the capital shortfall would be secured externally, but this is increasingly unlikely”.

“The Growing Suburbs Fund (GSF) offers an opportunity to secure at least part of the shortfall but also requires council to reconsider its former position.”

Peri-urban councils such as the Surf Coast Shire can get access to GSF funds, but the program operates on a notional dollar-for-dollar basis.

At the meeting, councillors resolved to modify their endorsed design to “fully align with state and federal expectations” and to increase the attractiveness of their $4 million application to the GSF, with the design including more allied health consulting suites and office space for a complementary aquatic or sporting body such as Life Saving Victoria.

“These additions increase the capital cost of the facility by $750,000 to $39.25 million but do not impact the operating costs as they will generate income to offset expenses,” the report states.

South Barwon Labor MP Darrren Cheeseman has committed $10 million towards the aquatic centre and Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson (when she was the federal member for Corangamite) a further $20 million, and the report notes “pressure is growing from both levels of government to find a way forward to deliver the project”.

Ahead of the meeting, both Senator Henderson and Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker urged the Surf Coast Shire council to apply to the GSF.

Senator Henderson said it was imperative state Labor put in more funding “so that the Surf Coast community receives the aquatic centre it deserves”.

“Council should also be making a capital contribution.

“If state Labor fails to urgently deliver additional funding and the council won’t fill the funding gap, the Morrison Government will have no choice but to award the funding to another organisation which is committed to building a proper aquatic facility. In recent months, I have identified at least one interested party. The Morrison Government is determined to make this happen.”

Ms Coker said the extra funds would be “the final piece in the puzzle”.

“If successful, it will mean the works can get under way,” she said.

“I would hope the Morrison Government does not pull the funding it committed at the last federal election.

“There has been some talk of this by the local Senator. It would be a slap in the face for this rapidly-growing community if the federal government turned its back on its commitment to a pool for the Surf Coast.”

Senator Henderson said the $20 million was not allocated to any proponent but it was always the Morrison Government’s preference that the Surf Coast Shire council build and operate the aquatic centre.