MITCHELL Shire Council (MSC) is calling on all parties and candidates who are running in the State election to commit the further investment needed to move the Greenhill Recreation Precinct from planning to delivery.
What could be a major vote swinger come November, and a project listed as one of the MSC’s top five election priorities, council say they’ve already purchased the land, and it’s now time for some investment to get the project rolling.
Wallan and Beveridge are expected to grow by more than 475 per cent, yet the area is still without a local aquatic facility while other indoor sport and recreation spaces are under increasing pressure.
Stage 1 of the build would provide those places and Mayor John Dougall said the community has waited long enough for the in-need facilities.
“The Greenhill Recreation Precinct has been part of the vision for this community for close to 20 years. Residents are understandably frustrated that it still hasn’t been delivered,” Cr Dougall said.
“We welcome the Victorian Government’s earlier investment to support our growing community, including the Greenhill Recreation Precinct. It was an important first step, but further investment is now needed to fund Stage 1.
“Growth is happening now. We can’t continue to add new homes without investing in the facilities that help create healthy, connected communities.
“Council has secured the land and completed the essential pre-planning. We now need a firm commitment to fund Stage 1 and start delivering for Wallan, Beveridge and surrounding communities.”
There are five investment offers from the council, that all provide something different for the first round of funding, ranging from $92 million to $218 million.
“Whether the first stage delivers indoor courts, an aquatic centre or a larger integrated facility, the important thing is that we stop delaying and start delivering,” he said.
“Delivering infrastructure early also prevents the gaps becoming larger, more expensive and more difficult to address as the population grows.”
