On track for election row

By Tania Martin
A LIBERAL call for urgent action on a Mount Evelyn athletics track has been labelled a political stunt.
Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe met with Shadow Sport Minister Hugh Delahunty on Friday 21 May at the track at Morrison Reserve.
She has called on Sport Minister James Merlino to fund the project now rather than making it into an election issue.
This follows the Yarra Ranges Council’s approval of a $5.4 million plan for the track in November last year.
The council is now seeking funding to help fund stage one of the project which is expected to cost more than $1.7 million.
This would include the construction of track and field infrastructure and a new pavilion and car park.
Ms Fyffe said the project shouldn’t be left to the outcome of an election.
“It needs doing now,” she said.
Mr Delahunty said the reserve was a fantastic location for an athletics facility but just needs some cash to update it to modern standards.
“Everything is here but it’s obvious the grass track is below par,” he said.
Mr Delahunty said the upgrade has been on the books since 1992, which was too long for young athletes to have to wait.
“In today’s society we should be able to provide high quality facilities for our athletes,” he said.
But Mr Merlino has hit back saying this was the first time Ms Fyffe had shown any interest in Morrison Reserve.
He said the community wouldn’t be fooled by this cynical election year ploy.
“The Evelyn MP is the only person making an election issue of this facility,” Mr Merlino said.
“I have been in regular contact with the shire on the proposal for a redeveloped athletics precinct at Morrison Reserve.”
Mr Merlino said the reserve had the potential to be a significant regional sports facility, especially athletics.
Billanook Ward councillor Tim Heenan slammed Ms Fyffe for getting it ‘wrong’.
He said cash for the track was not an election issue and the council had made a submission for funding.
Cr Heenan said the shire was confident it would get funding to help the shire with the project.
The council also approved a submission in November last year, for its 2010/11 budget which is due to be released tonight, Tuesday.
“The election has nothing to with it at all, she is just playing the political game,” Cr Heenan said.