Premier Daniel Andrews must detail the timeline for the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre in Traralgon, to provide the Gippsland community with certainty around this project, The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath has said.
Ms Bath was speaking on Tuesday at the Traralgon Outdoor Pool – proposed site of the new centre – where she met with community members eager to see the project commence.
Earlier in the day, Ms Bath along with Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh had met with the Latrobe City Council to discuss progress with the planned centre.
The Andrews Labor Government announced funding for the project in March 2017, but almost 12 months later there is still no timeline for tenders or for construction of the facility.
Ms Bath asked for a project timeline in Parliament in September, but the government has failed to provide any details.
“Our community is incredibly frustrated with the Andrews Labor Government’s refusal to provide a timeline for the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre,” Ms Bath said.
“The aquatic centre project was intended to potentially provide work for former Hazelwood employees and contractors.”
“This is a significant project for our community and although Labor claims the project should be completed with ‘a sense of urgency’, all we have is that it’s supposed to open mid-2021.”
“Where is the sense of urgency in getting this underway?”
“Does a facility such as this really take two and a half years to plan? If the answer is ‘yes’ then at least explain why.”
“Has the Government signed agreements with the Latrobe City Council guaranteeing the funding?”
“Let’s see a clear timeline for this project so the people of Gippsland can have confidence it will be delivered.”
