A MULTI-MILLION dollar upgrade of Border Road and a $1m facelift of the town’s swimming pool could be actioned if an ambitious funding bid by Wattle Range Council is successful.
Elected members voted in support of a $300,000 spend to get the projects shovel-ready, as well as 10 other major infrastructure upgrades totalling $19.3m.
Discussed at last week’s historic online meeting, council has put a ballpark figure of $4.7m on upgrades to the road – which runs parallel with the South
Australian/Victorian border – and is in discussion with West Wimmera Shire and Glenelg Shire councils about stage one of the project.
Council engineering services officer Peter Halton said the proposed $1m upgrade of the Penola Swimming Pool would include changes to the step into the pool and the installation of a waveless gutter system.
Mr Halton said the latest planned pool refurbishment would complement upgrades undertaken in recent years and further improve access to the facility.
“There has been surfacing works, upgrade of circulation and installation of heating and we are seeking to capitalise on these improvements with upgrades to shade structures such as replacing the ageing shade between the toddler and main pools,” Mr Halton said.
The council officer expected the gutter system to fix a circulation issue with the pool.
At the April meeting, Mr Halton told elected members council needed to have several shovel-ready projects ready as he anticipated a number of financial stimulus packages would be flowing from the State and Federal Government in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
According to Mr Halton, council needed to allocate $300,000 for design, costing and other preparatory work on the 12 projects as well as a commitment to fund up to 50pc of the capital costs.
The recommendations were debated and endorsed by a unanimous vote of the meeting.
Although he described the projects as “fantastic”, Councillor Peter Dunnicliff expressed reservations about the $300,000 funding allocation.
“It is over-the-top to spend $300,000 on the $20m worth of projects,” Cr Dunnicliff said.
“Perhaps the list could be trimmed.”
In reply, Mr Halton said the money would not be wasted as there was the capacity to leverage other government funds.
Chief executive Ben Gower said there had been clear and consistent messages from the Federal and State authorities about future funding schemes.
He said both tiers of government wanted to create jobs and stimulate the economy.
“Wattle Range has the cash reserves and there are low interest rates,” Mr Gower said.
Cr Sharon Cox said she doubted the council would qualify for a grant towards the suggested $3.6m needed for new council offices.
However, Mr Gower gave an optimistic reply.
“It is a different ball game,” Mr Gower said.
“Much of the design work for these projects has to outsourced.”
