Shire moves COVID-19 response to top of its advocacy priorities

THE Surf Coast Shire council has shuffled its list of advocacy priorities following recent developments, with responding to the coronavirus pandemic a new entry in the top spot.
At their meeting last week, councillors received an update and confirmed their strategic advocacy priorities.
The eight priority areas are:

• COVID-19 Response and Recovery
• Great Ocean Road Economy
• Towards Environmental Leadership
• Building our Future
• Strong Future for Local Government
• Key Policy Campaigns
• Community and Partner-Led Priorities including the Community Project Development program, and
• G21 Campaigns.

The report to councillors notes the council convened a COVID-19 working group in mid-March to provide strategic guidance and implement actions, introduced measures to provide financial and well-being support to local communities and business sectors, and allocated $1 million in the 2020-21 budget to support COVID-19 recovery initiatives for business and community.
However, the Surf Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre (which falls under the Building Our Future category) has suffered a setback.
The council applied to the state government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program for a $9 million grant to add to the $10 million from the state government and $20 million from the federal government for the $39 million project slated to be built in Torquay North, but did not succeed.
“The grant program was heavily over-subscribed and Council received advice in August that its application was unsuccessful,” the report states.
“Therefore it is recommended to add the aquatic and health centre as a new advocacy priority as Council seeks additional funding.”
Cr Brian McKiterick said he was disappointed the shire did not secure the $9 million grant.
“We’re so close – as election times come, hopefully state and federal politicians will be able to reflect on the need for that pool and the fact we’re so close.”
The update removes three priorities – the Modewarre Netball Pavilion, which is now fully funded; the Barwon River Adventure Play Space, which is also fully funded (although the related Winchelsea Barwon Riverloop Walk remains a priority); and oil drilling in the Bight, as Equinor has withdrawn its application for an oil drilling exploration licence.