I congratulate Kane Constructions on being awarded the tender to construct stage 1 of the $15.75 million North Bellarine Aquatic Centre at Drysdale and the $61.6 million Northern Aquatic and Community Hub (NACH) at Norlane.
Backed by more than $18 million in federal funding from the Morrison Government, construction of these two state-of-the-art aquatic facilities for north Geelong and the northern Bellarine will get underway in early 2022.
The NACH will deliver state-of-the-art facilities to support future growth and demand in the northern Geelong growth corridor. The NACH is expected to attract 600,000 visits every year, delivering $111 million in preventative health benefits during its first decade of operation alone.
Construction of Stage 1 of the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre, a 50 metre outdoor heated pool complete with kiosk and changeroom facilities, will be a wonderful asset for local residents including thousands of students who attend local schools.
I also congratulate mayor Stephanie Asher and councillors on endorsing the concept plans for a stage 2 indoor pool facility which are now out for community consultation. Federal Labor’s nonsensical plan to shut down construction of Stage 1, in breach of a binding funding agreement between council and the Australian Government, is nothing more than a cruel hoax. It demonstrates once again that Corangamite Labor MP, Libby Coker, is completely out of her depth.
20 December 2021