G21 PUTS HEAT ON FOR ARC

G21 chief Elaine Carbines has urged the major parties to spring a surprise and commit funding to the Northern ARC project on the eve of the state election.

In an eleventh-hour plea, Ms Carbines, pictured, has called for any level of state commitment, but Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood said only a pledge matching council’s $20.6 million contribution would do.

Cr Harwood ruled out the project being completed in stages as money became available, due to cost concerns, and hoped perseverance would pay off “at some point”.

“The Northern ARC project is a long-term vision. We will continue to lobby State and Federal governments until some funding is forthcoming,” he said.

“It is not an option to abandon these plans as this is the best outcome for that site and essential health and wellbeing infrastructure for our growing population in the north.

“We have spent a lot of time lobbying all levels of government and haven’t got a response on one of the most needed resources in our community.”

Council has applied for $10 million through the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund to go towards the project.

Ms Carbines said her advocacy would only increase after the state election, but feared a lack of commitment would jeopardise any chance of securing the same funding from the major parties leading into the 2019 federal election.

“We really do need the state to come to the party on this and the fact they haven’t will make it much harder to secure federal funding,” she said.

“Any commitment would be welcome, but in reality it needs over $40 million from State and Federal governments.

“We’re bitterly disappointed and there’s still a day to go but I’m not very optimistic.”