Pleas for growth funds finally heard

The state government last week announced an additional $25 million for the Growing Suburbs Fund that has been expanded to cater for six growth municipalities including Baw Baw.

Mayor Danny Goss has been strong in his advocacy for a more appropriate level of government funding to provide essential works and services for Baw Baw’s rapidly growing population.

Cr Goss has sent two letters to Premier Daniel Andrews.

On Friday, he welcomed Baw Baw’s inclusion in the Growing Suburbs Fund and also received a response from Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek who said the fund was “all about helping councils with fast growing communities to deliver the facilities and services people need.”

“They have listened to what we have asked for,” Cr Goss said.

And Cr Goss said Baw Baw will be expecting a “decent slice of the pie.”

Cr Goss said funding allocations of the additional $25 million were not yet known but it is expected Baw Baw will have to share with fellow peri-urban councils Bass Coast, Golden Plains, Macedon Ranges, Moorabool and Surf Coast municipalities.

Previously the fund was only available to Melbourne’s 10 interface councils.

The Growing Suburbs Funds will be available for shovel ready projects and Cr Goss said Baw Baw had plenty of projects ready to go.

On council’s current wish list for funding is $6 million for a $10 million Warragul Leisure Centre stadium expansion; $900,000 towards a $1 million Willow Grove netball upgrade; and $1.34 million for a $1.6 million Western Park netball facilities upgrade.

He said funding applications had already been submitted for a multi-purpose pavilion at Trafalgar soccer ground and a synthetic pitch at Baxter Park so it was unclear if they could “double up” in funding applications.

“We are trying to make sure we get the right projects funded.

“We are on the front foot and pursuing these options. We have been asking for this funding all along and we are very pleased.

“It’s a big recognition that we deserve funding and we have missed out for so long. It is very clear they have listened to us,” he said.

Cr Goss said Baw Baw was the fastest growing peri-urban municipality in the state – “growth that had been forced on it” - was expanding at a greater rate than interface councils closer to Melbourne.

“Funding criteria for those councils favoured them over shire’s such as Baw Baw.

“It is based on geography and is very unfair (to Baw Baw),” he said.

Cr Goss said it was not just recreation projects that needed funding.

Other critical works listed as being able to start quickly if there was the money available include road projects across the shire, extra car parking in the major towns of Warragul and Drouin and development of a strategic parking plan to cater for future retail, commercial and industrial development, a review of Precinct Structure Plans by the Victorian Planning Authority, buildings to accommodate sports using Bellbird Park at Drouin and cycling infrastructure including at Warragul, Erica and Neerim South.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said including Baw Baw Shire in the Growing Suburbs Fund was an example of the state government delivering to all Victorians.

“Improving our local facilities is vital for our growing community, ensuring services are appropriately equipped and in the right place,” she said.