The City of Greater Geelong has put the call out for bipartisan funding commitments for its Ocean Grove Sporting Infrastructure Plan ahead of the federal election.
The council needs $10 million in funding to kickstart the priority Devlins Road project, which would see the Ocean Grove Soccer Club relocated to a purpose-built soccer complex at the site.
The two existing soccer pitches at Shell Road Reserve would subsequently be converted to a second football and cricket oval, with expansion of the cricket nets and an extra undercover netball court also on the list.
The plan also involves improvements at Collendina, Memorial, Arthur Powell and Wallington Recreation reserves.
Peter Dutton announced last week a Liberal government would provide $5 million if elected.
The infrastructure plan has been in the works for years now, originally commissioned in 2019 as a review and update of the 2010 plan.
The plan attempts to address the growth in Ocean Grove and Wallington, with their populations forecast to grow by nearly 15 per cent over the next decade.
The last five years alone has seen a 77 per cent jump in participation in soccer in the area, while AFL (+49%) and netball (+42%) also experiencing huge growth in numbers.
Connewarre Ward councillor Elise Wilkinson said sport was an important part of the lifestyle of local residents.
“Community members in my ward are very active, social and experience physical, social and mental health benefits from playing sport,” Cr Wilkinson said.
“With the shortfall in infrastructure, we’re struggling to meet demand and so we urge both sides of government to commit to this worthy project.”
Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj said the project was important for the growing Bellarine community.
“More and more women and girls are taking up sport and we need fit for purpose and modern facilities that support them,” Mayor Kontelj said.
“We would welcome bipartisan funding commitments at both state and federal levels to kick off Stage One of Devlins Road Reserve Master Plan.”
The infrastructure plan was set to come before the council at its March meeting, but the item was taken off the agenda at the last minute.
Greater Geelong chief executive Ali Wastie said the removal of the item was due to “a request from community groups that have yet to respond and provide letters of support” for the plan and will be presented in coming months.
