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Tuesday 10 May, 2022
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Vol 16 No 18
The Premier doesn’t often come to Moorabool, but when he does, he brings a pool of cash, this time to the tune of $10 million. Daniel Andrews announces the funding with (L-R) Steve McGhie MP, Minister Ros Spence, Michaela Settle MP and Moorabool Mayor Tom Sullivan. Photo – Helen Tatchell
CASH SPLASH By Lachlan Ellis The Victorian Premier was back again in Bacchus Marsh last week, this time promoting what the State Budget delivers for Moorabool – namely, a $10 million investment in plans for an indoor pool. Mr Andrews said the $10 million was not a promise but a budgeted sum of money, and would help deliver a worldclass facility for Moorabool families. “The Budget yesterday (Tuesday 3 May) was all about investing in the projects that matter – investing in projects that create jobs, investing in projects that support the quality of life that is so important. Moorabool is a beautiful part of our state with a beautiful lifestyle, we’ve got to protect that,” he said. “There is growth here, and therefore we need to make sure there are services and facilities in place. I’m really pleased to announce – this is not a promise, it’s in the Budget, it was funded yesterday, it’s there - $10 million to make this vision the practical reality we know kids and families right across this Shire needs.” Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said she was pleased to help deliver the funding, and partner with Council to get the project progressing.
“It’s terrific to have this partnership with Moorabool Shire Council. Can I say, I’m really pleased Council has been so sensible in the development of this precinct, that they’ve done it in the Stages. I’ve been hearing from Councillors that this has been 20 years in the making, and the community’s been really desperate for this pool component,” she said. Melton MP Steve McGhie said the precinct was desperately needed for Moorabool, and would accommodate the whole community. “This is a great sporting precinct, it’s certainly needed in Bacchus Marsh. I know we’ve suggested this has taken 20 years, maybe it’s closer to 30 … it got close a couple of times, but now it can be delivered, obviously with this contribution and Council’s contribution … and then we have to work on the characters that pull the purse strings up in Canberra, whoever that may be,” he said. Mr McGhie said whilst it will be a community sport and aquatic centre, one group that may have been forgotten are people that suffer from disabilities and need to attend rehab. “People that live here do not have a facility to do swimming and things like that … they have to go to Melton Waves or Ballarat.” Council has already committed almost $15 million for the project, and CEO Derek Madden hopes that figure can be matched by the Federal Government after the May election.
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“Our view is that there is a federal election happening, and we’d be looking for the Federal Government to match our component on a 1-to-1 basis. We’re looking for the Federal Government to give us $15 million, and then we’ll commence construction straight away,” Mr Madden told the Moorabool News. “The designs are done; the engineering drawings are done … we’re just waiting for this final component and then we can commence construction on something the community’s been waiting 30 years for.” Mr Madden said Council was also “roughly $2.5 million short for what we need for the lawn bowls facility”. “That’s something we’ll work with the various funding agencies on, and see what options there are to really try and commence the whole precinct this side of Christmas,” he said. In April, Mayor Sullivan invited the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader to Moorabool to discuss funding for MARC, an invitation that has not yet been answered by either politician. Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence at Maddingley Park last Wednesday, with both welcomed by Moorabool Shire Councillors, Council Executives, and local State MPs Steve McGhie and Michaela Settle.
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