In November last year the Commonwealth Government convened the inaugural meeting of the Australian Council of Local Government, designed to create stronger partnerships between the Federal Government and local councils across Australia.

The inaugural meeting included additional funding to local governments to undertake projects that improve council facilities which serve the community.

The Maroondah Leader has reported on the program and Maroondah Council’s allocation of $620,000, which will be invested into projects at Jubilee Park and the Ringwood Aquatic Centre.

Councillor Alex Makin, whose Mullum Ward takes in both Jubilee Park and Ringwood Aquatic Centre, said the money was a significant boon for local infrastructure.

This partnership between Federal and Local Governments will enable councils to improve their local community infrastructure. Maroondah Council discussed the funding at the December 10th Council meeting and agreed to allocate the grant to the following projects:

• Installation of a co-generation plant at Ringwood Aquatic Centre ($250,000)
• Replacement of the pool filtration system for the outdoor pools at Ringwood Aquatic Centre ($75,000)
• Refurbishment of grandstand seating and access arrangements for the Ringwood Soccer Stadium at Jubilee Park, Ringwood ($295,000)

The refurbishment of the grandstand will improve accessibility and provide much needed upgrades to council’s soccer facilities. These works further reinforces the significance of the Jubilee Park sporting precinct, which also recently received a $300,000 State Government grant for a synthetic pitch.

“The two projects at Ringwood Aquatic Centre enable council to reduce its greenhouse emissions at the same time as it invests in sustainability,” Cr Makin said.

In addition, the co-generation plant at Ringwood Aquatic and the new pool filtration system will reduce council’s energy and water consumption, improving the sustainability of council facilities and reducing our impact on the environment.

The three projects will be completed by September this year and demonstrates how quickly community projects can be undertaken when there is a constructive partnership across governments.

The Commonwealth Government is to be commended for its recognition of local government and the importance in working with local councils to deliver community infrastructure. I look forward to the continuation of this program.