Greensborough Hockey Club renews calls for pavilion cash after sports rorts scandal
Despite scoring well above the cut-off mark for projects deserving of government funding, Greensborough Hockey Club’s $2.7 million pavilion plan was overlooked. The council says it was a victim of the “sports rorts scandal” and should get the cash.
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Ratepayers could pick up the tab for the remainder of a $2.7 million redevelopment of Greensborough Hockey Club’s pavilion after the project was caught up in the Bridget McKenzie sports rorts scandal.
Nillumbik Council applied for a $500,000 grant through the $100 million sports grant program last year.
But in January Prime Minister Scott Morrison ordered an investigation after Senator McKenzie awarded a $36,000 grant to a Victorian shooting club of which she was a member while she was the sports minister.
The Federal Government must now reassess all applications.
Nillumbik’s only hockey club scored 89 out of 100 in its assessment by the Australian Sports Commission, placing them on a top priority list to receive the cash.
However, it did not get a grant.
But Cr Peter Clarke creating a notice of motion requesting the Federal Government contribute $500,000 to the council from the upcoming 2020 budget.
“The auditor General’s report suggests that in ordinary circumstances council’s application should have been successful,” he said.
Ward councillor Grant Brooker also said the government process “was flawed”.
Club president Greg Purser said the club had already pumped a “significant amount” of its own money into the project.
“We were disappointed to find out our application for the federal sports funding exceeded the selection criteria but was rejected,” he said.
“The project will not only benefit club members but other user groups including many local schools and an all-abilities football program.”
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Federal member for Jagajaga Kate Thwaites said she would “actively pursue” the $500,000 in parliament.
“The players and the families of the Greensborough Hockey Club deserve better,” she said.
“They were found deserving and should receive federal funding.”
Works would involve the demolition of the club’s existing pavilion and construction of a new one.
The Department of Environment Land Water and Planning awarded $2 million to the project through the Growing Suburbs Fund 2018-19.
The council and the club will provide the balance of the budget.