By Tate Papworth
Brimbank council’s application for funding for the redevelopment of the St Albans Leisure Centre failed to address key issues and was under-developed, according to a leaked document.
The council’s bid for a $3 million grant last week was rejected by the state government, leading to an outpouring of angst from a number of councillors.
But the leaked document, obtained by Star Weekly, says the council’s Better Pools application and schematic plans fell short in a range of key areas, including gender equality and environmental sustainability. It says the council’s costings didn’t allow for cost escalation and the need for a redeveloped leisure centre was not strongly communicated in the application.
But new Brimbank mayor Lucinda Congreve disputes the report’s claims.
“In June, council submitted a detailed application for Community Sport Infrastructure Funding, under the Better Pools category, to Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV),” she said.
“To ensure success, the application was co-developed with Otium Planning Group, a highly respected sport and leisure consultancy service with a significant track record and understanding of grant submissions.
“Benchmarked against previously successful applications under the same or similar funding programs, we believe our application was sufficiently detailed, addressed all the funding requirements and ticked every policy box.”
She said the council had not been informed of any shortcomings in its application.
“Council is yet to receive any formal advice from SRV as to why this application was unsuccessful, but have been disappointed to see unsourced and unverified information being circulated, suggesting that project outcomes including gender equity policies and healthy food choices were not defined in council’s application for swimming pool funding.
“Council rejects any contention that the combined information supplied during application and follow-up was in any way deficient.”
Despite the setback, Cr Congreve said the council would continue to strongly push for the $53 million project to go ahead.
“Council will continue work, undeterred by this recent setback, and will redouble our efforts to secure significant government funding as our community deserves,” she said.
