by Laura Michell
Labor has pledged $25 million to held build a long-awaited indoor pool in Bacchus Marsh if it is re-elected.
A federal election is due to be held by late May.
Hawke Labor MP Sam Rae announced the funding pledge for the indoor pool on Monday, March 17.
Moorabool council has committed $15 million for the project, while the state government has put forward $10 million.
The pool will be part of the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Taverner Street.
Moorabool council and the community have been advocating for an indoor pool in Bacchus Marsh for a number of years.
As reported by Star Weekly, Bacchus Marsh only has an outdoor pool, which is open in summer.
Community advocacy group MooraPool formed in 2024 to urge the federal government to provide funding for the project.
The project has repeatedly missed out on federal government grant funding.
Mr Rae said this week’s funding pledge would be welcome news for Bacchus Marsh families.
“This project is so important to the Bacchus Marsh community, and I’m thrilled that we’ve secured the funding to make it a reality,” he said.
“This investment will ensure Bacchus Marsh has the pool facilities it needs for generations to come.”
The indoor pool will provide essential services such as learn-to-swim, water safety, rehabilitation therapy, and recreational swimming, promoting health and wellbeing across the region, Mr Rae said.
Moorabool mayor Paul Tatchell welcomed the funding and called the Liberal Party to match the commitment.
“We have had a federal Labor election commitment on this project before so we are also asking the federal opposition to make the same commitment so our indoor pool will be built regardless of which party wins at the upcoming election,” he said.
The Labor government pledged $7 million for the indoor pool in 2013 but that funding was cut under the following Coalition government.
“This project is something council and the community have been advocating strongly for over many years,” Cr Tatchell said.
“Council has already committed $15,000 to the project and the state government $10,000, so to receive the missing piece of the funding puzzle and see this become a reality would be fantastic for our community. It will help finally put the ‘aquatic’ into Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre (MARC).”
The Liberal Party was contacted for comment.
