Pool plans hung out to dry

By Lachlan Ellis

Those hoping for an indoor pool in Bacchus Marsh will be disappointed by yet another Federal Budget, while there are commitments for cost-of-living relief and healthcare.

The Albanese Government’s Federal Budget for 2023 was released on Tuesday 9 May, and once again the long sought-after $15 million in Federal funding for the pool was left out.

The project for an indoor pool on Taverner Street, as part of the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre (MARC), has $15 million of Council funding and $10 million in State Government funding ready to go – but a Federal Government commitment is needed as the final piece of the puzzle.

Moorabool Shire Mayor Cr Rod Ward said it was frustrating to again have the project left out of the Federal Budget.

“The indoor pool project is shovel-ready and has the financial support from Council and from the State Government. All that’s missing to turn it into reality is Federal funding,” he said.

“The pool project is so important for our community – the precinct (indoor stadium, bowls and community hub and the aquatic centre) will generate $100 million in economic activity, and help create more than 200 direct and indirect jobs.”

Cr Ward said it was even more frustrating as the project appears to be ineligible for funding under the Federal Government’s new Growing Regions Fund (GRF).

“Recently released guidelines show that projects for the GRF have to be outside of the Greater Melbourne area, with Bacchus Marsh just inside the ineligible area. This is in contrast to the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund under which Bacchus Marsh was eligible,” he said.

While the Federal Budget has again omitted funding for the indoor pool, Member for Hawke Sam Rae said it would deliver relief for household budgets in Moorabool Shire.

“This Federal Budget delivers for Moorabool by providing cost of living relief for people across Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Blackwood and surrounds. 83,000 people in Hawke will get better and cheaper access to GP appointments by tripling the bulk-billing incentive,” Mr Rae told the Moorabool News.

“Community projects in Bacchus Marsh will be eligible for funding under the new $211 million Thriving Suburbs Program. We’ve already funded $10 million to kickstart the Western Freeway upgrade and $400,000 to upgrade Federation Park in Darley.

“I’ll continue to work with all levels of government to deliver for our community in Moorabool Shire.”

Also helping ease cost of living pressures, Mr Rae said, was the Government’s Energy Price Relief Plan, which he said “will provide local residents and businesses with a rebate of up to $500”.

“This will make a real difference to household budgets – helping families in our community to get ahead,” he said.

The Budget also forecasts the first Federal surplus in 15 years.