Colac Otways Shire
Thursday, 07 May 2009 06:00
The Colac Otway Shire is being transformed. Jobs are being created through huge transport, education and community-building projects, like the duplication of the Princes Highway.
Here's a summary of major projects in the Shire. To find out further detail about the opportunities and job creation impacts of the Federal Government's Stimulus Package in your local area, please visit the special dedicated website http://www.economicstimulusplan.gov.au/pages/default.aspx
PRINCES HIGHWAY DUPLICATION. After two decades of the Liberals refusing to commit, the Gillard Government has committed $367 million to duplicate the Princes Highway right through from Geelong to Colac. This project will bring new industries and jobs to Colac, and will make driving safer and easier. Stage 1 of this huge project, from Geelong to Winchelsea, is now underway and will be complete by 2014, with stage 2 from Winchelsea to Colac expected to be complete by 2018.
NEW TRADES SCHOOL FACILITIES FOR COLAC. Colac will gain a new trade training centre, with the federal government delivering on its election promise with a $5.5 million grant to build the school. The new facilities will be the biggest boost to trades training facilities in Colac ever. The new facilities will be spread across local high schools.
$3.7 MILLION UPGRADE BLUEWATER FITNESS CENTRE. The Gillard Government has committed $3.7 million for a major upgrade of Colac's important Bluewater Fitness Centre. This funding will build a new basketball and netball showcourt, retractable seating area, motorised nets between courts and improved toilets.
COLAC OTWAY SCHOOLS GET MAJOR UPGRADES. The Primary Schools for the 21st Century program will see all Colac Otway primary schools get major upgrades. For example, St Mary's will get a new school library / resource centre built and a new a new multi-purpose school hall for a cost of $2 million. Sacred Heart Primary will also get a new gym, new classrooms, a roof and external facade and upgrade of grounds and rain water tanks. St Brendans will get a new library/resource centre, Colac South West Primary School will get a new multi-purpose school hall, Elliminyt Primary School will get a new learning centre as well. On top of this $400,000 has been provided to Sacred Heart, St Brendans and Colac South West for further refurbishments.
UPGRADE OF THE COLAC LAVERS HILL ROAD. The Colac Lavers Hill Road had been neglected for years under the previous Howard government, with serious accidents happening all the time on this dangerous road. Labor agreed to fund the upgrade of this road, has got on with the job and the project is now complete.
NEW COLAC-GEELONG-MELBOURNE EXPRESS RAIL. The Federal Government has committed $3.2 billion to build a new rail line that will allow larger express trains to operate between Geelong, Colac and Melbourne, cutting commuter times, significantly increasing the rail capacity. There will also be important environmental benefits, and efficiencies for freight movement. The new rail system is a huge commitment to public transport, and is part of Federal Labor's promise to modernise both our public and private transport system, which also includes the duplication of the Princes Highway between Waurn Ponds and Winchelsea and the construction of the Geelong Ring Road. These initiaiatives will be of benefit to the whole region.
UPGRADING THE PORT OF GEELONG. The Federal Government has also committed $50 million to upgrade the rail system leading into the Port of Geelong. This will be a major benefit to primary producers and other exporters across the region, and attract more jobs and industries to this region.
GEELONG RING ROAD. The Federal Government is providing 50% of the funding for the Geelong Ring Road, which will bring jobs and economic development to the whole of the region, including the Colac Otways Shire. The Geelong Ring Road will also reduce commuting times to Melbourne and reduce traffic and commuting times in the Geelong City area, as well as reduce pollution. Once the Geelong Ring road is completed, people from Colac can travel to Melbourne without a single traffic light.
COLAC BOTANIC GARDENS UPGRADE. The Federal Government is also providing $150,000 for an upgrade of the famous Colac Botanic Gardens precinct.
COLAC VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE UPGRADE. Labor is providing $20,000 to reconfigure the entrance at the centre, relocate information desk and installation of an internet kiosk at the Colac Visitor Information Centre.
APOLLO BAY / LAVERS HILL PATHWAYS. The Federal Government is funding the construction of pathways connecting community and visitor facilities in the communities of Apollo Bay and Lavers Hill for a cost of $120,000.
APOLLO BAY MECHANICS INSTITUTE. The Federal Labor Government has also funded an upgrade to the Apoolo Bay Mechanics Institute.
FORREST TIGER RAIL TRAIL. The Federal Government is also funding constuction of the Forrest Tiger Trail, the reconstruction of the existing bridge and the installation of signage for a cost of $40,000.
