State Government has back flipped on funding to dredge the Barwon River rowing course, saving the schoolgirls head of the river regatta.
Premier Denis Napthine announced funding of $250,000 towards the $500,000 for the project, with the City putting in $200,000 and Corangamite Catchment Management Authority $50,000.
The Independent reported in September state government refused to help fund the urgent Barwon River dredging works.
The government told the Independent work needed to retain the event was a local responsibility.
The government refusal was in response to an accusation by Lara Labor MP John Eren that state government risked removal of the event because it was “stalling” on the funding.
“This important project will ensure that the Head of Schoolgirls rowing regatta is raced on the Barwon River until at least 2017,” Dr Napthine said.
“The Head of Schoolgirls’ Regatta is the major rowing event for school girls in Victoria and one of the largest of its type in the southern hemisphere.
“The regatta attracts more than 10,000 spectators and more than 1200 athletes to Geelong over a weekend in March.
“The event generates an estimated $2 million in economic activity for Geelong every year and has been held on the Barwon River for 25 years.
“Dredging a one-kilometre section of the river to a consistent depth of 1.9 metres will create a much fairer course for all rowers.
“It will also enhance the Barwon River for a range of other rowing and other river related sporting events, which is great news for sports clubs, businesses and the accommodation and services industries in Geelong.”
