Sport upgrade ‘stalls’

KIM WATERS
Bellarine MP Lisa Neville has told State Parlaiment to take her electorate “seriously” after failing to provide funding for a new sports precinct at Ocean Grove.
Ms Neville accused Sports Minister Hugh Delahunty in parliament of dismissing “the wishes of Bellarine residents” when he “all but ruled out the funding”.
“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,” Ms Neville said.
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.
Ms Neville, whose own former state Labor Government failed to fund the project, said Mr Delahunty had been quoted as saying he was “99.9 per cent sure” money was unavailable under the coalition.
“I urge the minister tonight to focus on the point one per cent chance and make this project a reality. It is well-researched, supported and needed.”
A spokesperson for Mr Delahunty said Ms Neville’s “assumption” that the new Government had ruled out funding the project was “incorrect”.
“It must be remembered that the former Labor Government had 11 years but did nothing until confronted with a potential election defeat,” the spokesperson said.
“Although a commitment to this project was not part of the Liberal-National coalition policy platform for the state election, the minister has since had discussions with Geelong city council representatives and is happy to work closely with council and the Ocean Grove community to find a way forward for future funding.”
The Independent revealed in June that Ocean Grove sport clubs were “tired” of controversy surrounding the drawn-out project.
An Ocean Grove Football and Netball Club official said residents were “getting sick” of hearing” the upgrade might go ahead.
“This project has been in the pipeline for 25 years.”
The official described the club’s existing facilities as “the worst in the vicinity”.