Cash for growth

A BERWICK community centre and the Casey Cycling Precinct have been given a funding boost from the State Government’s Interface Growth Fund.
Bridgewater Family and Community Centre in Berwick will use $1.4 million from the fund to build a third kindergarten room and carry out improvements to the maternal and child health waiting room and consultation room, reception area and a multi-purpose community room.
A further $1.12 million in funding will go to expand the Casey Cycling Precinct, which will support the existing cycling clubs at Casey Fields.
According to the chairwoman of Interface Councils, Cardinia Mayor Leticia Wilmot, the announcement is the start of the Andrews government’s commitment to bridging the infrastructure shortage in the outer suburbs.
“This investment will release more than $102 million into local economies as urgently needed local community infrastructure projects are constructed including recreation facilities, children services facilities and community centres,” she said.
“In addition to creating more than 2000 construction and long-term jobs, these projects will also benefit the health and wellbeing of our communities.
“Interface Councils are extremely pleased to see the funding being issued so quickly.
“There is an enormous backlog of unfunded projects that we need to provide.”
Cr Wilmot said the application and assessment process had been efficient and construction of the projects would start in this financial year.
“Interface Councils have already compiled a list of projects for the next round of funding, which we hope will be announced in the next budget,” Cr Wilmot said.