Following the November 2021 meeting, work commenced on developing project documentation that will support funding applications.

This work includes schematic design of Stage 1 key facilities; community facility and change rooms, netball courts and change rooms, concert stage and supporting structures, and a cost benefit analysis.

There were 10 recommendations for council to approve for the funding strategy for this project.

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It was decided that each recommendation be voted on individually but the motion debated as a whole.

Councillors Claudia Haenel, Di Bell and Ian Ross spoke in opposition of this motion.

The first recommendation was that council note the key components of Stage 1 of the City Oval and Sawyer Park precinct redevelopment, including:

The second recommendation was to approve the allocation of the $2,856,792 provided by the Australian Government under its Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Phase 3 program to provide matching funding for the Netball Facilities Application (SRV) - $1,856,792 and Event Activation Application (RDV) - $1,000,000

The third recommendation was to note an application to Regional Development Victoria (RDV) Regional Tourism Investment Fund for the Event Activation Project - Total Project Budget $3 million, (Grant request $2 million) was submitted on January 14.

The fourth recommendation was to submit an application to SRV Local Sports Infrastructure Fund for the Netball Facilities. Total Project Budget $3 Million, Grant request $800,000.

The fifth recommendation was to submit an application to the Federal Government's Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) to complete all of Stage 1 of the City Oval Sawyer Park Precinct redevelopment - Total Budget $12.8 Million, Grant request $6.4 Million.

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The sixth was to support the applications for the $12.8 million Stage 1 of the City Oval and Sawyer Park redevelopment project, council confirms matching council co-contribution of $6.4 million.

The seventh recommendation was to support an application for the BBRF Stage 1 of the City Oval and Sawyer Park redevelopment project, and confirm matching council co-contribution of $6.4million.

The eighth recommendation was to note the matching council co-contribution of $6.4 Million will be reduced by successful State Government applications for the Netball Facilities ($800,000) and the Event Activation Facilities ($2million). If all applications are successful, the council co-contribution to Stage 1 is reduced to $3.6 Million (28 per cent of the total Stage 1 budget).

The ninth recommendation was to note that the commitment of council co-funding is dependent upon receiving funding from the State and Federal Governments; the projects will only proceed if the relevant funding application are successful.

The final recommendation was that council's co-contribution will be funded through borrowings and inclusion in the CAPEX budget over two financial years: 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 as detailed in this report.

All recommendations were voted on individually and were carried.

Councillor Penny Flynn was absent during this council meeting, Councillor Robyn Gulline voted in her absence with a casting vote.

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