Libs’ funding carrot for Northern Arc would leave project short, says Richard Marles

More than $8 million spruiked by a Liberal Senator for the $61.6m Northern Aquatic and Community Hub planned for the Norlane would leave the project short of critical funding, Labor says.

More than $8 million spruiked by a Liberal Senator for the $61.6m Northern Aquatic and Community Hub planned for the Norlane would leave the project short of critical funding, Labor says.

Corio Labor MP Richard Marles said the Liberals are “running out of excuses” to fully fund the health and wellbeing facility.

Geelong council has pledged $20.6M to the project and is seeking $20 million each from the Victorian government and federal government.

Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson said $8.26m was allocated to Geelong council under a community infrastructure fund but an administrative process would judge if the money could be used for the Northern Aquatic and Community Hub (NACH).

“The Building Better Regions Fund, which provides competitive grants of up to $10 million, is another funding option. It is possible to secure funding from both funding programs for the one project.”

Last year Geelong council missed out on $10 million for the NACH under a previous round of the BBRF.

The NACH, planned for the Waterworld site, is estimated to support 111 local jobs during construction, inject $67m into the local economy, and deliver $111m in preventive health benefits during its first decade of operation.

Mr Marles said $8.26M from Ms Henderson and her government would leave council short of funding required.

“Is her government going to fully fund (the project) or not?” Mr Marles said.

He said “the people of Geelong’s north” needed a commitment on the project from the Liberals.

On Friday the Deputy Prime Minister’s office said the government needed more information on the project before it could decide if the project was “eligible” to be funded.

Ms Henderson said: “I am pleased that council is fast-tracking the design of the NACH and call on the state government to make this a funding priority for Geelong.”

If built, the facility is planned to contain a 25m pool, hydrotherapy pool, water play and learn-to-swim space, gym, 400-person multipurpose community hall, health consulting suites and public meeting rooms.

Originally published as Libs’ funding carrot for Northern Arc would leave project short, says Richard Marles