Shire updates its advocacy priorities

THE Surf Coast Shire has updated its advocacy priorities to focus on what it says are the projects with the best chance of achieving funding ahead of the coming federal election.

An aquatic centre in Torquay is not among them, despite recent funding pledges from the state Labor government and Corangamite Labor candidate Libby Coker.

There are 11 projects listed as federal election priorities on the latest list, approved by councillors at their meeting last week.

New additions to this list of federal priorities are the Torquay Theatre and Arts Space and the upgrade of netball facilities at Mt Moriac Reserve.

Other projects supported in the quarter ending December 2018 were the Shipwreck Coast Masterplan, Lorne Point Grey redevelopment, the Grant pavilion upgrade, Great Ocean Road land management, and 15 hours of funded kindergarten for three-year olds.

Surf Coast mayor Rose Hodge said the proximity of the state and federal elections presented a significant opportunity to progress key partnership opportunities.

“The newly formed Victorian Government made several funding allocations to priority projects in Surf Coast Shire which has given Council the ability to remove some projects from our advocacy program because they are now funded or to move some to a longer term time frame.

“Attention will now turn to the upcoming federal election – our advocacy program contains several projects which are likely to suit federal funding criteria,” Cr Hodge said.

“Council’s advocacy program identifies community projects that align with government objectives and we then work with state and federal agencies and political representatives to advocate for funding.

“It’s the nature of advocacy work that priorities change depending on circumstances and opportunity and it’s especially pleasing to note that many projects had funding confirmed in the previous quarter,” she said.

She said the council would consider the future of an aquatic centre following the federal election.