People have an expectation that funding will roll immediately from the announcement.
- Vikki King
Warrnambool City Council has $5 million in the bank ready for works to begin on the much-needed Reid Oval redevelopment.
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Council community development director Vikki King reassured the community upgrade plans where continuing, with the $10 million funding secured.
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Answering a public question at the monthly council meeting, Ms King said the process was ongoing.
"People have an expectation that funding will roll immediately from the announcement," she said
"In terms of the amount of infrastructure that is being funded by the state government across the state what they are trying to do is actually set up their funding and ours is a package initially of the $3 million loan - that's the first time that has been done in this sector so they had to set that up with treasury - that rolled out first.
"Then there was right before the end of financial year, so in the last 10 days, where $2 million was released from SRV (government body Sport and Recreation Victoria) so that there is money in the bank to actually start the project with.
"That was all signed off and the next tranche will come in terms of the funding and service agreement that is now being signed off at both ends. That was only released in the same time period."
She said SRV was dealing with "120 plus projects in the region that are live".
"We are talking major projects at the highest level right down to smaller ones," she said.
"For them it's really a matter of resources.
"It's not a matter of commitment or intent.
"I know it's frustrating but we have to work with what we have got.
"There is still time and sport and rec are with us on the project control group.
"They realised what was needed and have put in for the first tranches of that.
"The funding is there and the service agreement is signed off.
"(We have) the first $5 million - that being the $3 million loan and $2 million being the first installment of funding from the government.
"The rest (of the money) will roll."
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