$1m Boyer oval pledge shock

A LIBERAL election promise appears to have already crumbled, after it was discovered a $1m federal funding commitment came with undisclosed terms and conditions.

The promise was made by Lyons Liberal candidate Susie Bower, who on April 13 pledged $1m to upgrade Derwent Valley Council’s Boyer Oval.

However, at a council meeting on April 28, Ms Bower said the $1m was conditional on Derwent Valley Council matching the funds.

The remark was met with “startled looks” from councillors, who had been unaware they had been expected to also chip in $1m.

Mayor Michelle Dracoulis said this was the first time the council had heard about any such stipulation, and that the council did not have an extra $1m to spare.

Ms Dracoulis said she had previously been assured, both by Ms Bower’s staff and by Ms

Bower (right) herself, that there were no such conditions.

Ms Dracoulis said the council’s budget was struggling in the aftermath of the recent storms as well as a number of other urgent priorities such as roads and public toilets.

As things stood, Ms Dracoulis said, she could not imagine council being able to meet the $1m requirement any time soon.

“Council did not agree to that and are not in a position to agree to that,” she said.

“I was very clear the night before the announcement was made and the day of the announcement.

“I did ask ‘is it contingent on a council contribution?’ and I was told no.

“It’s just not something I see happening. At this point in time it just won’t help us much.”

A media release put out by Ms Bower on April 13 does not mention that the $1m commitment needs to be matched by Derwent Valley Council.

At the council meeting on April 28, Ms Bower said they might need to renegotiate if council was unable to match funds.

A Liberal spokesman said the party would continue to work with the council on this funding commitment.

“The commitment was announced on 13 April by Susie Bower and the mayor was on site for a photo welcoming the commitment,” he said.

“We look forward to working with the Derwent Valley Council on this and a number of other commitments should Susie be successful at this weekend’s election.”

The funding would have gone towards building changerooms for female players and local teams.