By Lachlan Ellis<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Albanese Government\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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 \u2013 but a Federal Government commitment is needed as the final piece of the puzzle.<\/p>\n
Moorabool Shire Mayor Cr Rod Ward said it was frustrating to again have the project left out of the Federal Budget.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe indoor pool project is shovel-ready and has the financial support from Council and from the State Government. All that\u2019s missing to turn it into reality is Federal funding,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pool project is so important for our community \u2013 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Ward said it was even more frustrating as the project appears to be ineligible for funding under the Federal Government\u2019s new Growing Regions Fund (GRF).<\/p>\n
\u201cRecently 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\u2019s Building Better Regions Fund under which Bacchus Marsh was eligible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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,\u201d Mr Rae told the Moorabool News. <\/p>\n
\u201cCommunity projects in Bacchus Marsh will be eligible for funding under the new $211 million Thriving Suburbs Program. We\u2019ve already funded $10 million to kickstart the Western Freeway upgrade and $400,000 to upgrade Federation Park in Darley. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll continue to work with all levels of government to deliver for our community in Moorabool Shire.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also helping ease cost of living pressures, Mr Rae said, was the Government\u2019s Energy Price Relief Plan, which he said \u201cwill provide local residents and businesses with a rebate of up to $500\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will make a real difference to household budgets \u2013 helping families in our community to get ahead,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Budget also forecasts the first Federal surplus in 15 years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\u2019s Federal Budget for 2023 was released on Tuesday 9 May, and once again the long sought-after $15 million in Federal funding for the […]<\/p>\n