Funds furore: St Leonards’ Paul Sproule, Karen Reiter and Bob Hynes outside their town’s memorial hall, also desperate for upgrade funding.
By Michelle Herbison
ST LEONARDS Progress Association has criticised a councillor’s pledge to seek $150,000 for upgrading the Indented Head community hall.
Association president Paul Sproule said Cr John Doull’s support for the hall was “strange” because it was on Crown land.
Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee was responsible for the site, not council, Mr Spoule said.
“It doesn’t seem right that he’s got $150,000 for a State Government-owned and operated hall when there’s no indication State Government has it on their agenda.”
The Independent reported last week that Cr Doull would encourage Geelong councillors to include in this year’s budget $150,000 to upgrade Indented Head’s hall. Cr Doull said Bellarine Bayside and State Government would have to contribute additional funding for the $600,000 project.
Mr Sproule said the progress association had been fundraising for about 12 months for a $90,000 upgrade of the 86-year-old St Leonards Memorial Hall.
“The progress association and the wider community are working very hard to raise funds to restore the hall to its former glory in memory of those in the district who have served in wars since.”
Council recently granted St Leonards $5000 for heating and cooling facilities at the hall.
Mr Sproule said residents supported the Indented Head hall upgrade.
Indented Head residents had also “worked hard for their facility”, he said.
“It’s not about St Leonards-versus-Indented Head, it’s actually completely the opposite. No one’s trying to outdo each other; we’re just trying to provide a service.”
Committee for Bellarine’s Tom O’Connor supported council partly funding the Indented Head hall upgrade.
“The land is owned by the Crown on behalf of the community. Who gives a rat’s who manages it?”
State Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville labelled the plan for council to fund the Indented Head project “good progress”.
Council rarely funded facilities on Crown Land, she said.
“It’s good council is starting to think about its responsibility to ratepayers and not use a technicality.”
Ms Neville said State Government grant applications often required an initial commitment from council.
“I don’t think there’s anything funny about this. Now council needs to be putting in a formal proposal to State Government, which is not unusual.”
– Letters, page 18
