THE final piece in the funding puzzle fell into place on Friday for Warrnambool’s central business district makeover.
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Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford announced $5 million for the project, matching a $5 million Federal Government commitment and the same amount from Warrnambool City Council.
The $15 million facelift will be the biggest in the city’s history and is much needed. Visit other regional cities like Bendigo and the atmosphere created by a modern, pedestrian-friendly CBD creates a positive vibe.
The council is under no illusion about the project’s logistics and critically has to get the planning right before works begin. Construction will disrupt businesses and shoppers but the inconvenience hopefully will be short-term pain for long-term gain.
The announcement of a $15 million regional livestock selling centre at Mortlake is likely to cause pain for saleyards in neighbouring towns. But the development will be a big gain for Mortlake.
If the proposed new saleyard goes ahead, and developers are adamant the project will, Mortlake can expect an economic boost that will redefine the town.
But what impact will the Mortlake development have on Warrnambool and Camperdown?
Corangamite Shire councillor Chris O’Connor believes Camperdown and Warrnambool’s council-run facilities won’t survive.
Warrnambool City Council twice in recent years debated the merits of maintaining its saleyard.
Only vocal and emotional campaigns thwarted plans for it to step away and let the private sector take over.
The council had planned a joint approach with neighbouring Moyne Shire. One advantage of doing so was the city could influence the site of the new facility and wanted to keep it within 40 kilometres.
But its decision, responding to intense pressure from stock agents, businesses and some councillors, might come back to haunt it now with the city having no say in the Mortlake development.
Had the council made the unpopular decision to push for a regional facility a couple of years ago, it, too, might have been a case of short-term pain for long-term gain.
Warrnambool stock agents are not keen on the Mortlake proposal but a council, burdened with rate capping, might be reluctant to commit more funds to an ageing centre.
