By NOEL MURPHY
SIX years is a long time to await upgrades to a facility servicing 600 users a week with 40 volunteers.
But that’s the story of vital Whittington resource Bellarine Living and Learning Centre as it continues holding out for money under council’s $7.2 million Community Priorities Fund scheme.
Ward councillor Jock Irvine said he would commit $100,000 of his $600,000 allocation to the centre in 2014/2015 in the hope it could draw dollar-for-dollar commitments from state election candidates and a similar amount of federal funding.
The centre needed about $300,000 for its kitchen extensions and access renovations, Cr Irvine said.
“If I put the money in this year it will still have to find money next year, so I might as well wait.”
Centre chief Julie George said council was stonewalling on the funding, each year claiming “there’s no money, no money, no money”.
“Even now we’re only being promised half the dollars – and this is for a five-metre-long kitchen quoted at $200,000,” she said.
The centre provides various community services including assistance for people seeking tax help, food relief and internet access.
The volunteer-operated centre has been unable to secure funding for the improvements but Thomson Football Club, in the same ward, has received millions of dollars.
Cr Irvine defended the funding program but stressed an “open and transparent process” was essential.
“There are lots of benefits to community … but if the system needs tightening I have no problem with that.”
