Pool funding causes a splash

CORANGAMITE federal member Sarah Henderson has again dunked the Surf Coast over an aquatic centre for Torquay, saying the council has “failed to put the community first” by not applying for federal grant.

The shire has rejected the attack, with mayor Rose Hodge calling it “unnecessary criticism”.

The long-discussed aquatic centre suddenly resurfaced in the state election campaign, with the Liberal and Labor parties making $10 million pledges for it within hours of each other on October 30.

Grants of up to $10 million are available through the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) and Ms Henderson on Saturday said she was “very disappointed” the shire had not made an application to the next round of the BBRF before the November 15 deadline – only about two weeks after the election pledges were made.

“Having secured matching funding which is a requirement of the BBRF, Council was in the box seat to make this application.

“Under such circumstances, it is financially irresponsible for council not to pursue federal funding. Surf Coast residents have missed out on what could have been a grant of up to $10 million for this project.”

In response, Cr Hodge said the council understood that applications under this program “must be project ready, with all matching funding contributions confirmed”.

“Notwithstanding the recent state election promises, these are not yet formal government commitments, nor has Council had the opportunity to consider its position and any potential council funding requirement.”

The council resolved in late 2015 to stop all planning work on their proposal for an aquatic centre but to reserve land for it in Torquay North.

“Given the state election promises, Council will be discussing this matter following the state election to determine if it wishes to reconsider this position,” Cr Hodge said.

According to the BBRF guidelines, projects submitted to funding “should be investment-ready” and be able to “confirm all funding contributions; identify all required regulatory and/or development approval; demonstrate robust planning; and if
successful, able to start their project soon after the execution of a grant agreement with the Commonwealth”.

However, Ms Henderson said the council’s understanding of the BBRF was “not correct”, as election commitments could be considered as matching funding.

“The BBRF is designed to deliver large scale infrastructure projects which enable pre-construction milestones such as planning approvals and design.”