Grove on ‘fast track’

KIM WATERS
State Government is “fast-tracking” funding for proposed sport facility upgrades at Ocean Grove, according to a Liberal MP.
Member for Western Victoria Simon Ramsay said he had asked the Sports Minister to make Ocean Grove a “special project”.
Mr Ramsay revealed the funding bid in response to Labor MP Lisa Neville’s allegations that the new Government was refusing to take the seat of Bellarine “seriously”.
Mr Ramsay said the Bellarine MP’s claims in last week’s Independent were “nonsense”.
He rejected her statement that State Government had ruled out funding for the project.
“I’ve been working with (Ocean Grove councillor) Jan Farrell about fast-tracking some funding for that complex and I’ve written to Sports Minister Hugh Delahunty to request it as a special project outside of our election commitments,” Mr Ramsay said.
“We’re in discussions with council and through Minister Delahunty’s office to provide funding and a pathway toward this full upgrade.”
Geelong’s council voted in June to support $8 million plans to develop facilities at Shell Road Reserve for hosting the town’s football, netball and soccer clubs. The plans included a sport pavilion and netball courts at Shell Road and upgrades of surfaces and entries at Ocean Grove Memorial and Collendina recreation reserves.
The Independent reported last year that Ocean Grove sport clubs were “tired” of controversy surrounding the drawn-out project and “sick” of hearing the upgrade “might” go ahead.
Mr Ramsay admitted the coalition’s pre-election promises were their “number-one priorities” but said he would not turn his back on the sports facilities.
“There are no promises but we certainly aren’t dismissing it,” he said.
“I take umbrage to her saying we’ve ruled out funding when we haven’t. It’s easy to be critical now given they’re in opposition and had 10 years of government to put the facility in.”
Ms Neville slammed Sports Minister Hugh Delahunty in parliament last month for dismissing “the wishes of Bellarine residents”.
“Unfortunately, the current government does not take the needs of the Bellarine electorate seriously and has not committed funding for this project and that is why we want to build on and continue our commitment to this reserve,” she said.