By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
FUNDING for two key development projects in the region could be saved with the support of new Member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson.
Ms Henderson said she had written to Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Warren Truss seeking funding for the Lethbridge Intensive Agriculture Precinct project and Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Disease.
“I am continuing to advocate strongly for these and other projects across the Corangamite electorate.”
But Ms Henderson was scathing of the former Labor Government’s Regional Development Australia fund, which provided funding for Geelong’s new library and heritage centre project and Simonds Stadium upgrades.
“When Labor made these project announcements the community was told they were properly budgeted, fully funded and were being delivered. It is clear Labor misled the community and that many of these projects were nothing more than hollow election stunts.
“It is also clear there has been a breakdown of proper governance and due process in relation to some of these projects.”
“Labor ensured that funding was rushed through for some projects while others were left to languish. In a number of cases, Labor announced RDAF funding for projects that had not been submitted to the RDA Barwon South-West Board for funding assessment, which was ordinarily required.”
The Coalition Government has announced a $1 billion National Stronger Regions Fund to replace the RDAF.
Ms Henderson’s comments followed Geelong’s acting mayor expressing concern that changes to the RDAF sounded “alarm bells” for the region.
Cr Bruce Harwood told a Geelong Business Network breakfast the region had a number of priority projects needing immediate funding.
