Councillors have approved plans to build a new recreation reserve in one of Geelong’s fastest growing areas but have warned the facility will cost ratepayers millions unless the council can find further sources of funding.
Geelong council passed the Coastside Drive Recreation Reserve Master Plan, which details a project to provide sports fields, a playground and community spaces at 530 Horseshoe Bend Road, Armstrong Creek.
The draft plan for the 13.5-hectare council-owned site received strong support through a wide-reaching community engagement process.
However, councillor Anthony Aitken said while the master plan “highlights fantastic outcomes” for the Armstrong Creek community, “all of the components are not funded”.
“We can’t just be a city that builds houses…the demands and expectations of the community (include) public open space and organised community sport areas,” he said.
“The challenge that we’ve got for this particular proposal… is that Stage 1 is about $18 million, of which only $12 million is coming from developer contributions.
“The broader Geelong community, just for Stage 1, is being asked to contribute $6 million towards this particular project.”
Charlemont Ward councillor Emma Sinclair, who presented the plan to the council group, said the approved document gave the City a “piece of collateral” that could be used to seek further funding.
“We can use (that) to go out to funders, to places like the state government, to ask for help closing that $6 million gap,” she said.
“There is significant investment that we will be making, but we can also look to creative solutions.”
The master plan itself recommends a number of funding opportunities through state and federal government programs.
One of those is the Victorian government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, which helps municipalities deliver new and upgraded infrastructure for community facilities such as lighting.
The federal government’s National Sport Participation Grants also provide funding to increase women and girls’ participation in sport, including through facility enhancements that remove barriers to participation.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 and expected to be completed in 2028. Visit yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/CDRRDMP to view the master plan.
