$30.4m ambulance station, $20m indoor pool, $11m upgrade at Serendip Sanctuary, You Yangs promised
A $62m Labor cash splash promises funding for vital Geelong projects, but the state government won’t say why an Armstrong Creek ambulance station would cost $30m.
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An ambulance station at Armstrong Creek, funding for an indoor pool at Drysdale and $11m upgrade and preservation effort at Serendip Sanctuary and around the You Yangs at Lara are among state election promises worth up to $61m Labor revealed this week.
Ahead of the November 26 election, South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman committed $30.4m to build an ambulance station at Armstrong Creek but was unable to reveal specifics about it or why it would cost that much.
It is understood the ambulance station could be built near the intersection of Surf Coast Highway and Boundary Rd.
Mr Cheeseman did not respond directly to questions relating to what block size would be needed for the station and if the ambulance station would be delivered before 2026.
Asked for more information on the project, Mr Cheeseman reissued lines from a press release where he said: “Armstrong Creek is a growing community and a re-elected Labor government will continue to ensure local families and the surrounding regions have access to the care they need.”
Mr Cheeseman said if the government was re-elected, Ambulance Victoria would determine the resources needed to best serve the community at the facility.
The Coalition has promised $4m for an ambulance station in Armstrong Creek.
Labor is yet to deliver on its 2018 election commitment to build a fire station in Armstrong Creek.
South Barwon Liberal candidate Andrew Katos questioned the $30.4m price tag for the Labor promise for the ambulance station.
“One has to question the figure of $30.4m for an ambulance station and also question the value for money for taxpayers,” Mr Katos said.
“To put it into context, $30.4m will build a secondary school for 900 students.
“(Labor) has committed to building a fire station at Armstrong Creek which still hasn’t been started. The budget for that project is just over $8m. It is a bigger more complicated build than an ambulance station.”
Meanwhile, Labor candidate for Bellarine Alison Marchant has committed $20m toward an indoor pool at the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre in Drysdale.
“Swimming and water sports are a way of life in Australia and a re-elected Andrews Labor government will make sure families on the Bellarine have world-class facilities, with up to $20m towards the project,” Ms Marchant said.
Asked if the state government wanted an indoor pool built in the first stage of the project currently underway, Ms Marchant said: “This funding is to deliver an indoor centre, in line with the council’s stage 2 plans.”
Ms Marchant’s commitment comes after federal Labor pledged $20m for an indoor pool at the facility at the federal election.
The money locked in this week in the federal budget.
On Friday Corangamite MP Libby Coker, whose federal electorate covers Drysdale, said discussions were underway with Geelong council about how an indoor pool could be delivered.
“The community’s preference has always overwhelmingly been for an indoor, all-weather pool,” Ms Coker said.
“Labor’s $20 million election commitment was made on that basis.”
A 2020 Geelong council scoping study found operating costs would be around $580,000 a year for a seasonal heated pool, and $1m for a year-round heated pool.
The study found an outdoor pool could be visited by more than 34,000 people each year, and use of the outdoor pool would grow steadily as the Bellarine Peninsula population was forecast to grow to about 70,000 residents by 2041.
Under Geelong council’s plan, stage 1 of the project would include an eight-lane, 50m outdoor heated pool, change rooms, a kiosk, a tiered covered seating area and parking for 60 cars. The council is seeking funds for a second stage that would include an indoor pool.
Labor’s Lara candidate Ella George said the $11m improvement at Serendip Sanctuary and in the area around the You Yangs would encourage more people into the outdoors.
“Serendip Sanctuary and the You Yangs, Wurdi Youang, tell us about our past and contribute to the fabric of our communities,” Ms George said.
“This upgrade will improve the experience and encourage everyone to get active and enjoy these iconic and irreplaceable places.”
Ms Marchant has also promised a $100,000 upgrade at the St Leonards Progress Association Hall to help the association deliver more community programs.
More Coverage
Originally published as $30.4m ambulance station, $20m indoor pool, $11m upgrade at Serendip Sanctuary, You Yangs promised
More council candidates pledge Palestine support
More than 20 council candidates in the Geelong region have now pledged their support to a campaign that “demonstrates that Palestine is an important voter issue”.
‘Lost myself’: How Norlane man bounced back from depression
After a distressing incident at work, Norlane’s Tom Noulas fell into depression and struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder. He is now on a mission to support others battling with their mental health.