Pool, ambo station in $61m of poll promises

AN ambulance station at Armstrong Creek, funding for an indoor pool at Drysdale and $11m upgrade and preservation effort at Serendip Sanctuary and around the You Yangs at Lara are among Labor’s latest state election promises, worth up to $61m.

Ahead of the November 26 election, South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman committed $30.4m to build an ambulance station at Armstrong Creek, but was unable to reveal details about it or why it would cost that much.

It is understood the ambulance station could be built near the corner of Surf Coast Highway and Boundary Rd.

Asked for more information on the project, Mr Cheeseman reissued lines from a press release where he said: “Armstrong Creek is a growing community and a reelected Labor government will continue to ensure local families and the surrounding regions have access to the care they need.”

He said if the government was re-elected, Ambulance Victoria would determine the resources needed to best serve the community at the facility.

The Coalition has promised $4m for an ambulance station in Armstrong Creek.

Labor is yet to deliver on its 2018 election commitment to build a fire station in Armstrong Creek.

Labor candidate for Bellarine Alison Marchant has committed $20m towards an indoor pool at the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre in Drysdale.

“Swimming and water sports are a way of life in Australia and a re-elected Andrews Labor government will make sure families on the Bellarine have world-class facilities, with up to $20m towards the project,” she said.

Asked if the state government wanted an indoor pool built in the first stage of the project currently under way, Ms Marchant said: “This funding is to deliver an indoor centre, in line with the council’s stage 2 plans.”

Her commitment comes after federal Labor pledged $20m for an indoor pool at the facility at the federal election.

The money was locked in this week in the federal budget.

On Friday, Corangamite MP Libby Coker said discussions were under way with the council about how an indoor pool could be delivered.

“The community’s preference has always overwhelmingly been for an indoor, allweather pool,” Ms Coker said.

“Labor’s $20m election commitment was made on that basis.”

A 2020 Geelong council scoping study found operating costs would be about $580,000 a year for a seasonal heated pool, and $1m for a year-round heated pool.

Labor’s Lara candidate Ella George said an $11m pledge for Serendip Sanctuary and the area around the You Yangs would encourage more people into the outdoors.

Ms Marchant has also promised a $100,000 upgrade at the St Leonards Progress Association Hall to help the association deliver more community programs.