No pool in budget, but highway study is

By Lachlan Ellis

Council has expressed disappointment that there has been no funding for a Bacchus Marsh indoor pool handed down in the recent Federal Budget, but money has been delivered for the Western Highway.

$15 million from the Federal Government is needed to fund the indoor aquatic centre section of the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre (MARC), with Council issuing a new request for that funding before the Federal Budget’s release on Tuesday 25 October.

The requested funding would complement a $15 million commitment from Council, and $10 million from the State Government provided earlier this year.

But with $15 million in the Federal Budget being the “missing piece” to make the indoor aquatic centre a reality, come budget day, no funding was delivered.

“It is disappointing the project wasn’t considered pre-election by either major party, and now not in the new Government’s first budget, especially considering Member for Ballarat Catherine King committed to the project years ago as an election commitment,” Council’s CEO Derek Madden said.

However, Federal Government changes to the Building Better Regions Fund might create opportunities in the future to fund projects such as the indoor pool.

“Council has been advocating for a change to how the Building Better Regions Program has been managed, and it was clear after many unsuccessful grants that Moorabool and other peri-urban Councils were being disadvantaged,” Mr Madden said.

“We look forward to receiving details of the new funding programs and welcome any improvements to the fund. We are confident that the work we have done over the last number of years in developing projects that meet the needs of the community will be recognised and supported by the Federal Government.”

Member for Hawke, Sam Rae, did not directly address the Moorabool News’ questions about why the pool was not funded, but did mention other projects in Hawke that the Federal Budget will provide funding for, chief among them being kickstarting the Western Highway Upgrade.

The $10 million has been provided for a detailed business case into upgrading the Western Highway, which sees an average of 77,000 vehicles per day travel the stretch from Melton to Caroline Springs.

“The business case will be the first step in delivering upgrade works,” Mr Rae said.

“Delivering on this commitment was my priority for the Federal Budget, because it is desperately needed to keep our growing community moving. This significant investment is the first step in delivering the much-needed upgrade to ensure locals have a quicker and safer commute,” he told the Moorabool News.

Benefits overall for Moorabool is an increased childcare subsidy of up to 90 per cent, the cost of scripts at local pharmacies being reduced by $12.50 from the start of 2023, and a $400,000 upgrade to Federation Park in Darley with traffic, pedestrian, and parking improvements, as well as the replacement of the amenities building, play space improvements and ancillary works.

“This budget not only delivers critical infrastructure for our community but will also ease the pressure on the cost of living. I will always fight for best outcomes for our communities across Hawke,” Mr Rae said.