Sailing club calls for clarity for project
A PROPOSED recipient of Geelong’s long-awaited City Deal has called for clarity over funding for the package.
The Royal Geelong Yacht Club’s safe harbour precinct has been listed as a priority project under the city’s first funding package involving all three levels of government.
While it is confident of gaining some financial support, the club does not know if the required amount to complete its $29.97 million project will be met.
The Federal Government has previously said it was expecting to announce details of its commitment in October, as it aimed to finalise the City Deal by the end of the year.
Through a leaked document, News Corp yesterday revealed that former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had approved a $150 million spend on the City Deal.
Wary of construction timelines, and wanting to implement a continuous works program, the yacht club is hopeful that parties will detail the specific levels of investment within weeks.
“We need the Federal Government to understand the importance of this project,” club Commodore John Kint said. “We are hoping to see the total commitment by the end of Sep- tember.”
A Memorandum of Understanding on the package was signed by all parties in January, but is yet to be resolved at a federal level.
The State Government has budgeted $153.2 million for the City Deal, while the City of Greater Geelong has committed $15 million.
Work on the safe harbour project’s first stage will begin next March, after this summer’s racing program, with the club having already secured $15.6 million from a range of sources. That includes $7 million from the State Government, $3 million from the council, $3 million of its own money and $2 million from the Federal Government.
With an additional two world championships to be held in Corio Bay in early 2020, the club is committed to finishing the first stage of works by the end of next year.
The build will focus on a safe harbour wave attenuator and new berths, to help meet rising demand and protect the marina’s valuable assets from sea surges.
On land, the Victorian Sailing School complex will be redeveloped with new and increased facilities.
It is seeking a further $14.37 million from the City Deal to complete the overall project.
Federal Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson acknowledged that more funding was needed but did not directly address whether the safe harbour precinct would be fully supported.
The unfunded plans include a major redevelopment of the clubhouse and the surrounding precinct, which will largely be opened up for public use.
This includes access to the marina, a new public thoroughfare along the waterfront and greater public facilities.