Colac Otway welcomes Corangamite funding
Colac Otway Shire Council has welcomed pre-election commitments from both Liberal and Labor parties for two significant Apollo Bay projects, and is hopeful there will be last minute promises for other shire priorities in Corangamite.
Council's Chief Executive Peter Brown said bipartisan support for the Apollo Bay Football and Netball Club and the Apollo Bay Surf Lifesaving Club was a good outcome for the coastal community,
"The development of a Master Plan for the Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve was on Council's priority list so we are pleased Ms Henderson has announced $487,000 in the Federal Budget for lighting and an upgrade of the netball courts, seating, kitchen and scoreboard," Mr Brown said.
"It's great to see Ms Coker has matched that announcement with a $487,000 pre-election pledge for the football and netball club.
"Council also welcomes both parties promising $1 million towards the construction of a new Apollo Bay Surf Life Saving Club.
"We understand Ms Coker has also confirmed this week that if elected, Labor will invest $53 million over the next two years to protect the Great Ocean Road and fund roadwork upgrades with the inland links from Winchelsea to Lorne and Forest to Apollo Bay, improving access to the Great Ocean Road from the Princes Highway.
"Council was also pleased for the Kawarren community, with Ms Henderson promising money for a new deck at Echidna House if the Coalition wins Saturday's Federal Election.
"We also welcome Ms Coker's announcement this week that Labor has promised to fund three new full-time lawyers with the Barwon Community Legal Service for south-west Victoria, which will directly assist Colac Otway residents.
"Labor's $2 million election commitment for the GROW program could also have significant benefits across our shire, particularly for our young people.
"GROW is a unique regional initiative in the G21 region that works with business, government, community organisations and individuals to address disadvantage in areas of high unemployment, so a $2-million boost could greatly assist programs to address disadvantage in our Colac Otway community.
"Colac Otway is also supporting G21's campaign calling for a bipartisan commitment to build a Northern Arc $61.6 million health and wellbeing complex in Geelong because of the benefits it would bring to our regional community.
"Ms Coker's announcement this week that Labor has promised to fund three new full-time lawyers for the Barwon Community Legal Service in south-west Victoria is good news because it could directly assist Colac Otway residents," Mr Brown said.
"But we also encourage both Ms Henderson and Ms Coker to look at the shire's priority list for Corangamite we presented to them six months ago.
"Whether it's an election commitment or pushing for government grants, we urge them to consider priority projects such as Forrest's proposed Fire Refuge, Apollo Bay Early Years Hub and Birregurra Recreation Reserve Pavilion and Forrest's Wastewater System."
