Federal election promise crumbles for Derwent Valley

One Liberal election promise appears to have already crumbled, after it was discovered a $1 million funding commitment came with terms and conditions.

A Liberal election promise appears to have already crumbled, after it was discovered a $1 million federal funding commitment came with undisclosed terms and conditions.

The promise was made by Liberal Lyons candidate Susie Bower, who pledged $1 million to upgrade Derwent Valley Council’s Boyer Oval on April 13.

However at a council meeting on April 28 Ms Bower said the $1 million was conditional on Derwent Valley Council matching funds.

The remark was met with “startled looks” from councillors who had been unaware that they had been expected to chip in $1 million.

Mayor Michelle Dracoulis said this was the first time council had heard about any such stipulation, and that council did not have an extra $1 million to spare.

Ms Dracoulis said she had previously been assured that there were no such conditions, both by Ms Bower’s staff as well as Ms Bower herself.

Ms Dracoulis said council’s budget was struggling from the aftermath of the recent storms as well as a number of other urgent priorities such as roads and public toilets.

As things stood, Ms Dracoulis said she could not imagine council being able to meet the $1 million requirement any time soon.

“Council did not agree to that and are not in a position to agree to that,” Ms Dracoulis said.

“I was very clear the night before the announcement was made and the day of the announcement. I did ask ‘is it contingent on a council contribution?’ and I was told no.

“It’s just not something I see happening. At this point in time it just won’t help us much.”

A media release put out by Ms Bower on April 13 does not mention that the $1 million funding commitment needs to be matched by Derwent Valley Council.

At the council meeting on April 28, Ms Bower said they might need to renegotiate if council was unable to match funds.

A Liberal spokesman said they would continue to work with Derwent Valley Council on this funding commitment.

“The commitment was announced on 13 April by Susie Bower and the Mayor was on site for a photo welcoming the commitment,” he said.

“We look forward to working with the Derwent Valley Council on this and a number of other commitments should Susie be successful at this weekend’s election.”

The funding would have gone towards building changerooms for female players and local teams.

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