Bass MP Jordan Crugnale has questioned Cardinia Shire’s frustrations over its share of funding for Crown land, saying “we are all here to serve” regardless of the exact proprietor, in a rare public dispute between representatives.
Ms Crugnale celebrated the victory of the Kooweerup Netball Club, which secured a critical $900,000 contract to repair its deteriorating courts.
However, a dispute between state and local government underlined the council’s approval of the contract, as the shire has previously expressed disapproval of spending significant funds on projects that are located on land it does not own.
The council believes the state government is not providing sufficient funding for projects on land owned by the state.
Ms Crugnale responded to the complaints, disputing the council’s definition of ownership and saying that, regardless of land tenure, all levels of government are expected to collaborate.
“This view that we own the land and that it sets a precedent is ridiculous,” she said.
“It shouldn’t matter whose land it is or isn’t when it comes to community facilities and public places.
“Does this mean that any Cardinia Council-owned land should not receive state government investment, whether through a grant or other partnerships?”
During this week’s council meeting, Cr Trudi Paton led efforts to approve the contract and was thanked by the club for her support. However, the council’s position was not lost on her, as she backed the motion “begrudgingly”.
“I know some councillors, a lot of us, have concerns about the significance of the cost and the fact that this is on land that we do not own. I share those concerns,” she said.
Cr Alanna Pomeroy also backed the contract, but said this kind of arrangement is “not sustainable” for other upgrades to sporting facilities and that “we know we need to find a better way.”
The total funding for the project is $1.1 million, with the council providing more than $800,000 and the state government contributing $275,000.
The arrangement is for an upgrade on Crown land, which is owned by the state government.
A submission by the council to the 2024 state government inquiry into local government funding and services directly referenced the netball courts project. At the time, the council withdrew a previously promised $600,000 contribution to the project.
The submission said the council faced “extreme pressure” from the community and higher levels of government to fund projects on Crown land that it “does not own”.
The council explained that after withdrawing funding from the project, members from both state and federal governments were “actively lobbying” for the council to reinstate funding.
The local members for Kooweerup, past and present, are Ms Crugnale and La Trobe MP Jason Wood.
The council claimed this amounted to cost shifting, directing funds away from core services due to pressure from higher levels of government.
Ms Crugnale said the definition of Crown land is not as clear-cut as the council suggests, noting that land can fall under different authorities. While the council may not own the land, she said, it owns the netball facility.
“Many of our recreation reserves, schools, beaches and coastline are on Crown land,” she said.
“There is a designated land manager appointed as administrator, which can be the state government, council, Parks Victoria, DEECA and others, and all are used for public purposes and community benefit.
“Council owns the assets at the Kooweerup Recreation Reserve, as do most councils that provide recreational and sporting facilities.”
Deputy Mayor Liz Roberts thanked the state government for its contribution and said continued support was needed.
“Council remains committed to providing the services, projects and infrastructure our community needs while ensuring long-term financial sustainability,” she said.
“To achieve this, we need the continued support of all levels of government, and we appreciate the state government’s contribution to the Kooweerup netball courts.
“Council can confirm it does not own the land at the Kooweerup Recreation Reserve. We acknowledge the complexities of land and asset management and will continue to work with other levels of government to achieve outcomes in the best interests of our community.”
Ms Crugnale also referenced the Cardinia Youth Hub, which is on council land and received $3 million from the state government and $1.5 million from the federal government.
Initially, the state government held the largest contribution, as the council was set to contribute $1.5 million. This has since increased to $4.5 million due to unforeseen construction challenges.
There are nine properties under Crown land management in Cardinia. Other projects funded by the council on these properties include the Upper Beaconsfield Recreation Reserve Pavilion upgrade, where the council contributed $4.2 million alongside the state government’s $3.3 million contribution.
Another project is the Cora Lynn Recreation Reserve Pavilion upgrade, for which the council provided $1.5 million and the state government granted a $2.5 million low-interest loan.
Ms Crugnale said the council can request to become the administrator of the Kooweerup reserve if it wants to ensure its “asset registry looks good.”
‘I am always available to have this conversation with Cardinia Council directly and in person,” she said.
“We are all here to serve our community and make sure they have the quality facilities they need and this is why we have supported the Netball Club.”
