My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Regional and Rural
Development and concerns the Port Campbell community centre. This government, as
all members are aware, has a Small Town Development Fund which continues to help
Victoria’s smaller towns create jobs, drive economic growth and improve
community infrastructure. Since being elected as a member of Parliament I have
had the pleasure of supporting a number of applications as well as having the opportunity to announce many projects
throughout western Victoria.
The township of Port Campbell has a population of around 300
permanent residents. It is located on the Great Ocean Road approximately 15
kilometres west of the Twelve Apostles. It is located in the heart of the Port
Campbell National Park and therefore caters to a number of visitors,
particularly in the summer months. The town also acts as a service centre for a
number of industries, including tourism, agriculture and fishing.
I have been made aware of an application for the redevelopment
of the Port Campbell community centre, which is badly needed in Port Campbell.
The parliamentary committee that I serve on, the Rural and Regional Committee,
went to Port Campbell last year. We found that we really did not have an
appropriate community space to hold the public hearings.
Whilst we did find the surf club an appropriate location, in
terms of all those other groups that require proper accommodation and facilities
in the township they are often found wanting.
This application includes construction of a new large
multicultural space, improved kitchen facilities, disabled access and entry for
the toilets and additional storage space. As I said, even from personal
experience I know that this is a much-needed facility in the township of Port
Campbell. I strongly urge the minister to support this application which will
have many positive outcomes for the permanent residents of Port Campbell, the
many sporting and social groups in the community and the outlying area, as well
as assisting and increasing the number of tourists visiting this part of our
coast.
Mr O’Donohue — On a point of order, President, I seek a
clarification as to whether the action sought by the member actually is an
action.
As I understood it from her contribution, the township of Port
Campbell has put in an application for funding pursuant to the Small Town
Development Fund, and presumably that fund has a set of criteria by which
assessments are made. As I understand it, the member is calling on the minister
to support that fund.
There would be an objective set of criteria which would be
followed, and I ask your guidance, President, firstly, as to whether what the
member has asked is actually an action, and secondly, whether it is appropriate
to ask a minister to intervene in the objective assessment of funding for this
sort of project.
The PRESIDENT — Order! I am of the view that it is not unusual
or inappropriate — it may be unusual but it is not inappropriate — for the
member to ask the minister to support the application. It is an action. I am
satisfied with it.