Kim Waters
Funding for a “desperately needed” new sport venue at Ocean Grove is in doubt, sparking a blame game over responsibility for the stalled plans.
The new facility for the town’s football club has been on the drawing board for Shell Road Reserve for 25 years but an MP is at loggerheads with council over his demand that the facility includes a 1.83m fence and gated access.
Federal Member for Corangamite Darren Cheesman said council must “compromise” on fencing off part of the new grounds before he would consider a funding application.
“Sometimes councils get hung up on not having fencing of some areas because of a need for open space,” Mr Cheesman said.
“I know that the football club wants to get a gate so it can charge entrance to games but it hasn’t been signed off by City of Greater Geelong.
“I’m going to leave it up to the council and the sporting clubs to resolve that issue and have asked that it would happen in a speedy manner.”
But Liberal party candidate Sarah Henderson blamed Mr Cheeseman for the stalled project.
She accused him of “holding a gun to the head” of sports clubs and council to push his own agenda.
“Mr Cheesman has threatened that unless council and the clubs do what he says he will not fund the facility,” Ms Henderson said.
“Initially the clubs wanted a gate around the venue but council was of a very strong view that it would be inappropriate. The sports clubs have accepted that and council is working with them very closely to look at other revenue raising options so they won’t be negatively affected.”
Ocean Grove councilor Jan Farrell said she was “disappointed” with Mr Cheesman’s comments.
“To say that a club can’t function without a fence is nonsense and out of step with current practices.”
Ocean Grove Football Club president Geoff Cunningham said fencing was no longer “a major sticking point”.
“We initially talked about putting in a fence but after discussing the idea with council we all decided against it,” Mr Cunningham said.
“We’ve decided to work with council and look at other ways to raise revenue.”
Mr Cunningham said the club’s existing facilities at The Avenue were “the worst in Geelong and surrounding districts”.
“The standard of the change rooms is pathetic and the quality of the social function room is well-below par,” he said.
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