State government profits from poker machines should fund community projects, such as Ardeer’s planned cycling hub, Brimbank council administrator Jane Nathan believes.
There has been a $500,000 blow-out of the estimated cost of developing a regional centre for multiple cycling facilities, as outlined in the Ardeer Green Activity Hub Master Plan, launched in June.
Brimbank council has had overwhelming community support for the plan, with 61 of the 63 responses in favour of turning a “tucked away, forgotten bit of land next to the Western Ring Road” into the home of several cycling clubs, a kilometre-long criterium circuit, a single-track cross-country mountain bike circuit, and a recreational or competition BMX track.
Ms Nathan said that with $141.6 million having been lost in Brimbank on poker machines in the past financial year, the state government should tip some of those losses back into projects such as the Ardeer cycling hub.
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see some of that money come back to the community,” she said. “Five million dollars out of $145 million spent on pokies wouldn’t be remiss. It [the hub] would be freely available to all members of the community.”
The “probable cost” of the cycling centre had blown out “to allow for the bicycle hub to be appropriately developed for use by the community and cycling-related groups,” a council report found.
Council infrastructure and environment director Paul Younis said the increase in costs was due to the many ideas and suggestions received during community consultation.
He said there was no timeline for the project, which has in-principle support from VicRoads but is dependent on state and federal funding.
Design work is due to start next year.
A state government spokeswoman said most revenue from gaming machines went to Victorian hospitals, charities and the Community Support Fund.
“The fund supports a range of activities advancing the interests of the community … this includes sports and recreation.”
