Pool enclosure, rates relief in federal grants pipeline Councils welcome cash boost

Andrew Mathieson
Geelong’s council should use a funding windfall to cover Kardina Pool, according to a councillor.
Federal Government this week announced $2.6 million for City of Greater Geelong as part of a hand-out of $300 million for municipalities around Australia to spend in the next year on infrastructure projects of their choice.
The Government announced the grants as part of a drive to combat an economic downturn in Australia amid the global financial crisis.
Geelong reaped the largest grant of Victorian council’s, while Borough of Queenscliffe received the lowest, $100,000.
Cr Stretch Kontelj, who holds a major projects portfolio on Geelong’s council, said the City should use the money to revisit a proposal to enclose a 50-metre pool and dip.
He pledged to push for the project if he won re-election next week.
“I will implore council to revisit the enclosure option for one of the 50-metre pools at Kardinia Pool to allow for year-round use,” Cr Kontelj said.
He planned to use a feasibility study that Geelong Swimming Club commissioned last year with options and costings to strengthen the City’s case.
The proposal had the support of schools, community groups and the Geelong Football Club, he said.
Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood was yet to single out preferred projects for funding but predicted the region’s building industry would benefit from the package.
“We will need to determine what are the most appropriate projects for funding given the criteria set out by the Federal Government,” he said.
“But there are certainly a large number of worthy projects for us to choose from.”
Surf Coast Mayor Dean Webster, who is also seeking re-election, said his shire could use its $343,000, to cut or freeze rates.
“Our current resource plan indicates the rates will go down next year but that will be up to the new council to decide,” he said.
“What the package does is the extra funding brings projects forward that would take longer or we would have had to put rates up to fund them.”
Cr Webster said the money could also help the shire bring forward its 10-year capital works and asset renewal programs, while sporting grounds could also welcome the funding.
“The money we have received is about reducing the burden on the ratepayer,” Cr Webster said.