MARC top of funding wish list

Moorabool Aquatic Recreation Centre. (Damjan Janevski). 383002_01

Moorabool council is calling the federal government commit funding in the federal budget to help build the rest of the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre.

The council has a number of projects it wants funded in the upcoming state and federal budgets, with the MARC being the biggest project.

Moorabool chief executive Derek Madden said the council continues to advocate very strongly for funding for the rapidly growing shire.

“We are hopeful the federal government agrees to fund the remaining $15 million shortfall in the delivery of the much needed $80 million sporting facility in Bacchus Marsh,” he said.

“Stage one is now complete with the indoor stadium recently opened to the public.

“This funding request was a federal election commitment from a few years ago, so we’re asking them to honour that commitment as the need has only increased over time.”

Council has been seeking $15 million in federal government funding for several years, to match its $15 million commitment and $10 million from the state government for the centre in Taverner Street, Bacchus Marsh.

Stage two will consist of a dedicated bowls and community hub, while the indoor pool complex is part of stage three.

Council figures reveal that many other towns similar in size to Bacchus Marsh have indoor aquatic facilities and the need is shown in Bacchus Marsh, with 56 per cent of surveyed outdoor pool users saying they’ve travelled outside Moorabool to attend indoor pools in other municipalities.

Among other projects the council would like funded according to Mr Madden are a major investment in roads across the shire and a little athletics track at Masons Lane Reserve.

Mr Madden said there were a number of other projects they were advocating with information available on their website.