Liam McNally
A failed funding application for the civic plaza at the future Ballan Library and Community Precinct may see that portion of the project delayed or altered.
The new $7.5 million Ballan Library and Community Hub is one of Moorabool council’s flagship infrastructure projects and is planned to include a modern library, community meeting rooms, visitor information, a Maternal and Child Health Centre and an outdoor space.
The library portion of the project was due to commence mid-year, however design delays and the volatility in the construction market pushed the tender date back.
The tender is open until January 31, with council expecting work to begin in May 2024.
In a new blow to the project, a federal funding application for the outdoor plaza, which is to be tendered separately, has been rejected.
Council applied for $851,000 from the federal government’s Growing Regions Program to fund the outdoor plaza with courtyard seating and gardens.
The other sections of the library precinct project are being funded with $5 million in state government funding and $2.5 million from council.
Mayor Ally Munari said the lack of funding could mean the plaza component of the project may be delayed or not proceed as originally envisaged.
“It’s so disappointing the plaza component of the project is in jeopardy,” she said.
“The civic plaza is a place for the community to gather and a connection point to the other components of the precinct- the library, Maternal and Child Health Centre, exhibition spaces and community rooms.
“If you look across the shire, we have attracted a lot of state government funding for our projects and we continue to struggle to secure federal government for our major projects.
“To continue to deliver on much needed infrastructure we will need both levels of government to contribute to allow us to meet the needs of our current and future communities.”
A Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts spokesperson said round one of the Growing Regions Program had received a large number of expressions of interest (EOIs) seeking funding worth significantly more than what is available.
“Unfortunately, this means not all projects can be funded,” they said.
“Round Two of the program will open for expressions of interest in 2024.”
