By Holly McGuinness
Brimbank Council is calling for more State Government funding in the lead-up to November’s election.
Projects the council would like more funding for include the soon-to-be opened Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre which has already seen the council put in $60 million and the State Government $2 million.
Brimbank Council mayor Jasmine Nguyen said with the election coming up, the council had set key priorities including upgrades to the Sunshine Precinct and Albion Station as well as the Calder Freeway, more mental health support and the reintroduction of the job seeker program, Project BrIMPACT.
“We want to make sure some of the inequities in Melbourne’s west are addressed,” she said.
Another priority was the construction of a 25-metre outdoor pool at the new aquatic centre. That would require $10m additional funding from the State Government.
Member for Western Metropolitan Region Bernie Finn told parliament earlier this month such projects were often funded in marginal eastern and southern areas of Melbourne and he wasn’t confident they would be approved for the west.
“If the government does not come up with the money, I doubt it will happen, and that would be a very, very sad thing indeed,” Mr Finn said.
“We are talking about safe Labor seats being ignored yet again. This is a classic example of the ALP neglecting the west.”
