THE future of the redevelopment of the Wyndham Leisure and Events Centre hangs in the balance after the project was overlooked in the latest round of Regional Development Australia funding.
The $61 million redevelopment is dependant on the council sourcing $20 million in external funding.
It had applied for $15 million from the federal government’s Regional Development Australia fund.
But, funding for the centre was missing from a list of projects announced by Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean today.
Mr Crean announced funding for nine Victorian projects, totalling $38.8 million, including $13.5 million for an aquatic centre at Frankston.
He said the approved projects were local priorities which leveraged other funding sourced and would sustain the economic and social future of their regions.
Mayor Kim McAliney said the Derrimut Road project would have to be reviewed despite the council already receiving $2.6 million from the state government’s Better Pools Program and $1.48 million from the federal government’s Community Energy Efficiency Program.
‘‘Council’s target for the [Wyndham Leisure and Events Centre] redevelopment project was a total of $20 million for federal and state funding sources. This project will need to be reviewed in terms of its scope, timing and funding options now that it appears that the support required from the federal government will not be forthcoming,’’ she said.
The redevelopment will improve capacity at the centre, improve the events, pool and gym spaces and add a library to the site.
The council approved the project after realising that the existing centre was struggling to cope with Wyndham’s population boom.
‘‘This is extremely disappointing outcome for Wyndham given the need for infrastructure investment in our rapidly growing city,’’ Cr McAliney said.
‘‘Today the state Planning Minister [Matthew Guy] has outlined plans to extend the urban growth boundary in Wyndham to allow for even more housing, and without major contributions from the state and federal governments, we simply will not be able to keep up with demand for vital road and community infrastructure.”
“Despite this set back, Wyndham City will continue to aggressively advocate for the funding required to meet the needs of our growing municipality.
‘‘Lack of support from other levels of government is unacceptable.’’
