A new regional aquatic centre in Frankston is now in the fast lane after receiving $13.5 million from the $200 million second round of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF).
A new regional aquatic centre in Frankston is now in the fast lane after receiving $13.5 million from the $200 million second round of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF).
Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean today joined Member of Isaacs Mark Dreyfus in Frankston to inspect the site of the new centre and said the $46.35 million project will provide people living in the regional centres of south-east Melbourne with access to state-of-the-art competition and leisure facilities.
"The Frankston Regional Aquatic Centre project is a great example of an investment partnership that stacks up and joins the dots between being a local priority, leveraging other funding sources and returning an economic and social dividend to the region," Mr Crean said.
"The Federal Government's investment of $13.5 million will leverage an investment more than three times that amount from the Frankston City Council and the Victorian Government - it's a strong partnership across three levels of government.
"It's also a project that is testament to the adage that persistence pays dividends. It was unsuccessful in the first round of RDAF and the Frankston City Council learnt from the feedback and reworked it.
"With the passage of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT) securing three more rounds of RDAF, there will be more opportunities for regions to get a slice of the action - so my message is keep learning and keep persisting."
Mr Crean said the project will project a significant economic boost across the region and create around 300 construction and 50 on-going jobs.
"The Frankston Aquatic Centre will incorporate an Olympic sized swimming pool, a learn to swim and leisure pool, caf, gymnasium, waterslides, splash deck, warm water therapy pool, spa and sauna, additional program space, crche, a wellness centre and car parking," he said.
Mr Dreyfus said the new centre will provide vital infrastructure that will draw visitors from right across the region.
"By building high quality infrastructure, Frankston will draw people from all over the growth corridor of Melbourne's south-east," he said.
"I have been a strong supporter of this project, and I'm thrilled our Government is delivering the funding that will get this project up and running.
"The economic and social dividends are long-lasting. The project will generate new jobs and attract visitors to Frankston as well as contribute to community pride and regional liveability."
Mr Crean said the second round of RDAF will invest $200 million in projects right across Australia, including $38.8 million for nine projects in Victoria with a total value of more than $168 million.
"RDAF is part of our Government's record $4.3 billion investments in regional health and hospitals, skills, higher education and infrastructure," Mr Crean said.
"With our economy in transition, we have strengthened the role of the nation's 55 Regional Development Australia committees, which played a vital role in working with the community to identify and prioritise projects.
"The second round of RDAF builds on the $150 million distributed to 35 projects through Round One last year, including $36.06 in Victoria."
More information on the $1 billion Regional Development Australia Fund can be found at http://www.regional.gov.au/
