The dash for cash

By Kate Taylor

Moorabool Shire Council is chasing federal government funding for the Bacchus Marsh Racecourse and Recreation Reserve redevelopment.

The Federal Government announced that more than $480 million will be distributed as grants across Australia under the Building Better Regions Fund, and councillors voted at the December 6 council meeting to put forward the hub redevelopment project.

The funding will be allocated over four years on infrastructure and community projects that will focus on creating jobs, driving economic growth and building stronger regional communities into the future.

Local Government and not-for-profit organisations are eligible to submit an application for a grant of between $20,000 and $10M, on a dollar for dollar basis.

Council officers recommended that the Bacchus Marsh Racecourse and Recreation Reserve redevelopment project be put forward after consulting council’s list of priority projects, and finding it to be the most shovel-ready.

“An analysis of the requirements for the funding stream suggests that the Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Recreation Reserve project is currently in a position to put together a competitive application,” read a report tabled at the meeting.

“The Parwan Employment Precinct project is not sufficiently advanced for this round but may be in a position in future rounds. Similarly, the small town sewerage project requires further development and commitment from Central Highlands Water before it could be considered.”

The BMRRR project has an approved budget allocation of $4.8M in 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 for the construction of Stage 1A – but some of the elements of the second stage of the plan will be brought into stage one for the funding application. 

“Council could leverage $3.84M through BBRF. The funding breakdown above does not require any additional funds from Council other than allocating development contributions already received from Essence Estate.”

The project has been re-titled the Moorabool Regional Community Sports Hub for the purposes of the grant.
Councillors voted in favour of applying for the funding for the project.