Geelong leaders want federal funds for Northern ARC

SENIOR leaders from across Geelong have come together ahead of the federal election to make a united pitch for funding for the Northern ARC development in Norlane.

Led by City of Greater Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood, representatives from 11 different organisations gathered last week to call on both Labor and the Liberals to commit $20.5 million to the planned health and wellbeing hub.

Members of the group will also write to federal members and candidates in the seats of Corio and Corangamite to voice their support for the project.

The $61.6 million Northern ARC project has been identified as a top priority by the City of Greater Geelong and advocacy group G21.

The venue will improve community health in Geelong’s northern suburbs by offering a range of world-class programs and facilities, drawing an expected 600,000 visits each year.

It’s estimated the Northern ARC, which would replace the Waterworld leisure centre, would deliver $111 million in preventative health benefits to the Greater Geelong community over its first 10 years of operation.

The City has already committed $20.6 million and is seeking $20.5 million each from the state and federal governments.

Cr Harwood said the unified stance highlighted how “absolutely critical” the Northern ARC was for Geelong’s north.

“We want to see both major parties recognise that Geelong’s northern suburbs desperately need this facility and put their money on the table.”

G21 chief executive officer Elaine Carbines said Norlane and Corio had double-digit levels of unemployment (higher than both the state and national averages) and were among the most socially disadvantaged areas in the nation.

“Decisions about funding desperately-needed projects such as the Northern ARC should be based on the needs of the people, not on whether it will result in votes on polling day.”

The Surf Coast Shire was not at last week’s meeting, but chief executive officer Keith Baillie said his municipality was a strong supporter of the Northern ARC.

“We’re big fans of that, with G21 – it’s hard when you’re sitting in a marginal electorate, both state and federal, and we have all this opportunity, but we do want to find a way for the people in our broader region to share all the benefits.”