Latrobe City Council has made an application to the federal government for an additional $10 million for the long-awaited Traralgon pool project.
The state government pledged $46 million for the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre in March last year as part of its sports infrastructure fund from the $266 million Hazelwood transition fund.
However, Latrobe City Council said the additional $10 million, which it hopes to secure under the federal government’s Regional Growth Fund, would go towards “additional works” at the aquatic centre.
Latrobe City Council chief executive Gary Van Driel said the extra funds would be used to supplement the project to deliver works “beyond the scope of the original aquatic facility” including: geothermal infrastructure including two wells and the heat exchange system required to heat the water and the facility; heating for the Latrobe Creative Precinct using the same infrastructure; hot water soak pools heated geothermally; a wellness centre; and additional car parking.
“The GRAC project would not be delayed as these components are complementary to the original project,” Mr Van Driel said.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said in a statement that he had recently met with Latrobe City Council on the matter.
“[I] received a briefing on [Latrobe City Council’s] application for federal government funding,” he said.
“I understand the program has been oversubscribed.
“The Minister is yet to make a decision on successful applications”.
Latrobe City councillor and GRAC project reference group member Darren Howe said hot water soak pools would be beneficial for local pool users as well as a big tourism attraction for people travelling from outside of the area to Traralgon.
“It is something different,” he said.
“There are aquatic centres dotted all over Victoria, so to have something that is unqiue to Traralgon will bring people here.
“It is not competing against any local businesses… it will be a bonus all round.”
Cr Howe said if council’s application to the federal government’s Regional Growth Fund was unsuccessful council would consider other applying for other grants.
GRAC project reference group member and Traralgon Community Development Association’s Bronwyn Kerr said the geothermal infrastructure could save the ratepayer money in the long-term.
“From what I’ve seen of all the projections, the initial instalment [of the geothermal infrastructure] will be a little more expensive but there will be long-term savings using the geothermal that will be beneficial to ratepayers,” she said.
“Particularly if it is also utilised for the creative precinct, if it is possible, it would be silly not to tap into those resources.”
Long-term advocate of a new pool for Traralgon Joanne Campbell said it would be good if Latrobe City Council could secure the extra $10 million in funding.
“Hopefully it could be a bit of an extra tourism push,” she said.
“Then maybe people will come here and not just see it as an industrial area.”
Construction is expected to begin at Hubert Osborn Park in March or April, 2019, following the 2018/19 outdoor pool season, with a successful contractor expected to be announced in October 2018.
