No funding for Bacchus Marsh Aquatic and Recreational Centre in federal budget

Once again, Bacchus Marsh has been left begging after the Federal Budget revealed not a cent to support the much-needed indoor pool.

One of the fastest growing communities in the state calling for an indoor pool has been left high and dry “yet again” following Tuesday’s Federal Budget.

For years, the Moorabool Shire community has been calling for an aquatic centre to service its active and growing population.

Residents seeking access to swimming activities have been required to travel outside the municipality as the existing outdoor pool, built in the 1930s, is no longer up to standard.

An artist’s impression of the indoor pool. Picture: Moorabool Shire Council.

The council’s vision for the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre (MARC) — featuring an indoor stadium, aquatic centre, and adjoining bowls club — was dealt another blow when the Federal Budget failed to deliver the necessary funding.

The council had hoped for $15m from the federal government to match its own $15m commitment and $10m from the state government in order to deliver the precinct at Taverner St, Bacchus Marsh.

It comes as basketballers at Melton have been forced off the courts for months as investigations continue into how the playing surface was damaged.

Artist impressions of the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreational Centre precinct under construction at Bacchus Marsh. Picture: Moorabool Shire Council.

Moorabool Mayor Rob Ward said the indoor pool had “yet again” been left of the list of funded projects and, in what he described as a “further blow”, it appeared the project would be ineligible under the government’s new Growing Regions Fund (GRF).

“The pool project is so important for our community — the precinct will generate $100m in economic activity and help create more than 200 direct and indirect jobs,” Mr Ward said.

“The indoor pool project is shovel-ready and has the financial support from council and the state government, all that’s missing to turn it into reality is federal funding.”

Moorabool Shire Council Mayor Rod Ward. Picture: Supplied

“It’s disappointing it’s missing from yet another Federal Budget – and even more disappointing that recently released guidelines show that projects for the GRF have to be outside of the greater Melbourne area, with Bacchus Marsh just inside the ineligible area.”

Under the then-Morrison Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, Bacchus Marsh was eligible but that had since changed.

Nationals Victoria Leader Peter Walsh slammed the decision to shift Bacchus Marsh into the metro region.

“Under any category or boundary division Moorabool is not urban, it is regional and should be treated as such,” Mr Walsh said.

“If the new rules don’t find them eligible then someone has got it very wrong.”

Hawke federal Labor MP Sam Rae said he strongly supported the project and pool.

“I will continue to work with all levels of government to get it built,” Mr Rae said.

At this month’s council meeting, councillors endorsed a contract management model for the operation of the Bacchus Marsh Indoor Stadium and will undertake a tender process to procure a suitable organisation to manage the facility.