Federal Budget - no pool funding

Published on 10 May 2023

Council is disappointed that funding for an indoor pool has yet again been left off the list of funded projects in the Federal Budget, handed down last night – and in a further blow, it looks as if the project is ineligible to receive funding under the Federal Government’s new Growing Regions Fund (GRF).

Council has been seeking $15 million in Federal Government funding for several years, to match funding from Council ($15 million) and the State Government ($10 million) for the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Taverner St, Bacchus Marsh.

“The indoor pool project is shovel-ready and has the financial support from Council and from the State Government. All that’s missing to turn it into reality is Federal funding,” Mayor Cr Rod Ward said.

“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. This is on contrast to the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund under which Bacchus Marsh was eligible.”

“The pool project is so important for our community –the precinct (indoor stadium, bowls and community hub and the aquatic centre) will generate $100 million in economic activity and help create more than 200 direct and indirect jobs,” Cr Ward said.

To see more details on the proposed pool and Council’s other advocacy priorities for our Shire, visit moorabool.vic.gov.au/advocacy