Liberals keep pushing for new Jan Juc clubhouse

THE Victorian Liberals are continuing to push for state government money to redevelop the clubhouse at the Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy was given a tour of the clubhouse last week with South Barwon MP Andrew Katos, who has been lobbying for the funding for several years.
The upgrades to the clubhouse, predicted to cost up to $5.5 million, are needed to meet increasing demand – the club estimates it will hit 1,500 members by 2020.
Jan Juc SLSC will fund about half the cost itself, but is seeking government support for the rest.
Government funding pledges made in recent years include $300,000 by Mr Katos as a 2010 election commitment, which was later raised to $1 the Liberals lost the state election.
Then-Corangamite federal member Darren Cheeseman pledged $1 million towards the project Labor lost the federal election.
Jan Juc SLSC committee member Naomi Madigan said being unable to start the upgrade was frustrating, but she was hopeful of a good outcome.
“It’s got to the point where someone needs to do some stuff.
Mr Guy said there was no doubt the clubhouse needed an upgrade “They’ve done the right thing – they’ve got plans, the (Labor) government to stump up, at minimum, the amount of money the previous government arrangements for surf life saving clubs would be a factor.
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way; ministers Mr Katos said the club was important not only for the Jan Juc residents who made up the bulk of its membership but also for visitors.
“To have that free service on the beach to save lives and keep people out of trouble is probably the best thing about the club, because a lot of their actions are preventative”.