Former councillors, local businesses and even former prime minister Julia Gillard have written to Wyndham council urging it to provide funding for the redevelopment of Chirnside Park in its 2015-16 budget.
The budget, which was released for community consultation on April 20, failed to include funding to upgrade Werribee Tigers’ home ground, despite the council resolving last August to provide $5.5 million for the project over the next two years.
At the time, the council planned to provide $2.5 million in its 2015-16 budget with the rest to be delivered in 2016-17.
The letters to the council accompanied a submission from the Tigers calling for the project to be funded next financial year.
Club president John Nicol said the club was extremely pleased when the council agreed to fund its share of the $7 million redevelopment, and he was disappointed the project was overlooked in the budget.
“Werribee Football Club is prepared to commit $1 million to this redevelopment,” he said.
“It has taken quite a bit of convincing to get the board to commit to that amount of money but, as time passes, the board becomes restless.
“We’re very keen to work with council to ensure this project proceeds.”
Council’s infrastructure director, David Suder, has previously said the money was not included in the draft budget as the council was waiting on a funding commitment from the state government.
The AFL and AFL Victoria are each contributing $250,000.
The submission was one of nine received on the draft budget, including one from the Truganina Community Group asking for James Cook Reserve to be upgraded.
Others included a request from Sanctuary Lakes Resort Services for funding for a playground at its Oyster Bay Chase Park and a bandstand at Breezewater Reserve.
Werribee District Historical Society asked for historical signage to be installed at places of significance in the municipality.
The council will consider the submissions before finalising its budget on June 15.
