By Lachlan Ellis<\/p>\n
A grant application for part of a new Moorabool library has been rejected, with concerns the project will be delayed or be built without all the planned features.<\/p>\n
Moorabool Shire Council applied for $851,000 under the Federal Government\u2019s Growing Regions Program for a civic plaza at the planned Ballan Library and Community Precinct, but was disappointed to hear that application had been rejected.<\/p>\n
Moorabool Shire Mayor Cr Munari said the disappointing news put the plaza component of the project \u201cin jeopardy\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe civic plaza is a place for the community to gather and a connection point to the other components of the precinct \u2013 the library, Maternal and Child Health Centre, exhibition spaces and community rooms,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look across the shire, we have attracted a lot of State Government funding for our projects and we continue to struggle to secure Federal Government for our major projects.” <\/p>\n
The State Government has contributed $5 million through two different funding streams for the Ballan Library and Community Hub project, which was recently tendered.<\/p>\n
Cr Munari said that to continue delivering on much-needed infrastructure in Moorabool, Council \u201cneeds both levels of government to contribute, to allow us to meet the needs of our current and future communities\u201d.<\/p>\n
A Council spokesperson said Council would continue seeking opportunities to obtain the required funding.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this point, there are no grant programs that align at the federal level, and the Victorian Government has already committed significant funds to the project.\u201d the Council spokesperson added.<\/p>\n
Federal Member for Hawke, Sam Rae, said the need for funding from the Federal Government was new information to him, when the failed grant application was raised.<\/p>\n
\u201cI strongly support the Ballan Library project. The project was fully funded thanks to a $5 million contribution from the Victorian Labor Government,\u201d he told the Moorabool News.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe need for further funding has never been raised with me and I\u2019m disappointed that Moorabool Shire Council appears to have dropped the ball on another project.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Lachlan Ellis A grant application for part of a new Moorabool library has been rejected, with concerns the project will be delayed or be built without all the planned features. Moorabool Shire Council applied for $851,000 under the Federal Government\u2019s Growing Regions Program for a civic plaza at the planned Ballan Library and Community […]<\/p>\n