Stadium is shire’s $4m showpiece

SEVENTY- FOUR projects worth more than $24.3 million will be delivered across the Surf Coast Shire next financial year after its 2018-19 Budget was passed last night.

The “crown jewel” of the budget will be $4.6 million for a planned multipurpose stadium in Torquay to replace the area’s “tired” basketball courts.

The $7 million redevelopment of Point Grey in Lorne will also receive a $250,000 council injection following lobbying from the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee.

The project will see two buildings — the Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club, and the restaurant and fisheries space — demolished and rebuilt.

Space for a restaurant, fish sales and public toilets will also be added as part of the work.

Surf Coast Shire mayor David Bell said council had funded 14 extra projects following requests from the community.

“Our allocation of $150,000 ongoing funding for increased road maintenance across the shire was a significant response to community concern, and council was pleased to support other projects ranging from new netball shelter sheds at Anglesea to further planning work for an arts and culture space in Torquay,” he said.

Cr Bell said the budget focused on community growth and wellbeing, and improving the environment.

A shire-wide parking study — funded in the 2018-19 Budget and to be completed after July 1 — will in part consider the possibility of paid parking in Torquay.

Projects funded in council’s budget from a rates and charges pool of $51.37 million include: the Yurrock soccer pitch and lighting in Torquay ($561,000); football goal safety nets at Spring Creek Reserve, Torquay ($55,000); a Connewarre dressage arena ($41,000); netball shelter sheds at Anglesea ($26,000).

More than $700,000 will be poured into the region’s libraries, but waste charges will rise by 8 per cent.