Surf Coast Shire
Thursday, 07 May 2009 06:00
The Surf Coast Shire has been a big winner since the election of the Rudd Labor government, with some fantastic community-strengthening and job creation projects now happening.
Here's a summary of major projects in the Surf Coast 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
GEELONG RING ROAD. The Federal Government is providing nearly half the funding for the Geelong Ring Road, which will bring jobs and economic development to the whole of the Surf Coast Shire, including Torquay and Jan Juc. 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 Jan Juc, for example, will be able to travel from their driveway to Melbourne without a single traffic light.
PRINCES HIGHWAY DUPLICATION. The Federal Government have committed $110 million to duplicate the Princes Highway between Geelong and Winchelsea. This project will bring new industries and jobs to Colac, and will make driving safer and easier. Planning for this huge project is now almost complete, with construction to start this year.
UPGRADING LOCAL TORQUAY / JAN JUC SCHOOLS. Every primary school in Torquay / Jan Juc and Bellbrae is getting major upgrades. This includes new school halls, new libraries, classroom and learning centres. These facilities will also be open to the public for their general use. As an example of the upgrades, Torquay College will get a new school hall for $3 million, St Therese Primary will get a new multi-purpose hall and senior learning area/resource centre at a cost of $2.5 million, Mount Duneed Regional Primary School will get new flexible teaching and learning spaces, and Bellbrae Primary School a state-of-the-art library facility.
TORQUAY SPORTS PRECINCT. The new Torquay Sports Precinct will see two new footy ovals, three soccer pitches, six netball courts and a joint pavillion/changerooms established, including lighting. This will be a great help to allow clubs like the Torquay Football Netball Club, Torquay Cricket Club, Surf Coast Soccer Club and Jan Juc Cricket Club grow and expand.The Federal government is contributing $4 million to this project. Construction is about to start.
BLACKROCK WATER RECYCLING PLANT. The Rudd Government has promised $10 million to kick-start a new water recycling plant at Black Rock near Breamlea. This will allow A Class and C Class recycled water to be pumped back to Torquay and the new Armstrong Creek Precinct, benefiting our parks, gardens, watering of sports fields and job creation.
GREAT OCEAN ROAD RENEWAL PROGRAM. The Rudd Labor Government has provided $950,000 towards a Great Ocean Road Renewal Program, which will enhance the biodiversity, protect vulnerable species and improve the local amenity on the public land adjoining this internationally famous and historic roadway. There will also be an important program to protect and highly important indigenous sites along this coast, and a study into climate change impacts.
UPGRADES FOR THE TORQUAY SENIOR CITIZENS CENTRE. The Rudd Labor Government is providing funds for a major upgrade of the Torquay Senior Citizens Centre.
UPGRADES FOR THE TORQUAY COMMUNITY CENTRE. The Rudd Labor Government is also providing funds for a major upgrade of the Torquay Community Centre.
TORQUAY TOWN CENTRE / COMMUNITY HUB. The Federal Government is also funding a new town centre community hub within the Torquay Town Centre Shopping Precinct, providing all-accessible public amenities, tourist information and recharging facilities for motorised scooters.
The Great Ocean Road communities of Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Lorne and Apollo Bay, and the magnificent surrounding environment, is a high priority for the Rudd Labor government.
THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD COASTAL TRAIL. The Federal government is contributing $30,000 to the construction of an off-road trail connecting Apollo Bay East with the Apollo Bay CBD. This tourist attraction will also be great for businesses in the Surf Coast Shire.
