By Parker McKenzie
As the federal election approaches, promises of money for sporting projects, upgrades, community groups and events come thick and fast, but does the commitment always become a reality?
The Star Mail examined the commitment of federal funding made by former Casey MP Tony Smith during the 2019 Federal Election, finding every election promise was funded, with almost all of them either being completed or currently underway.
During the election campaign, the Liberal party promised more than $6.3 million in funding contingent on them being re-elected for a third term.
One election promise was the completion of a network of CCTV cameras across Seville, Warburton, Montrose, Monbulk and Millgrove. On 31 January 2019, $440,000 in funding from the Department of Home Affairs was allocated towards the Yarra Ranges Safety Camera Network, with most of the systems completed.
Wandin North Reserve was promised $1 million in funding from the Federal Government to build a new pavilion and a new netball court. The $3.75 million project, funded through a combination of the promised federal money, $1 from the state government and the remainder by Yarra Ranges Council, officially opened on Saturday 1 May.
Mr Smith promised $70,000 to install solar panels and battery storage at the Yarra Glen Memorial Hall and $100,000 for solar batteries at the Healesville Memo Hall and Yarra Centre in Yarra Junction.
In April 2021, the battery energy storage system at Yarra Glen Memorial Hall was unveiled.
Then-Mayor Fiona McAllister thanked Mr Smith for securing the funding through the Department of Infrastructure.
“We’ve also commissioned similar systems at The Memo in Healesville and the Yarra Centre in Yarra Junction, two of our facilities that have great power needs and act as emergency relief and recovery centres.” she said.
$75,000 was committed towards the remaining three panels of the Seville War Memorial, which were unveiled on ANZAC Day 2021.
Healesville Community Renewable Energy received $90,000 for solar panels and a monitoring system for three community complexes and homes owned by the Indigenous Community.
By the end of 2021, two of the three systems had been installed with the third on its way to completion.
The Mount Evelyn Football Ground Pavilion — promised $1 million in Federal Funding — is currently under construction after the old building was knocked down.
Seville Recreational Reserve’s levelling and resurfacing works are currently underway, following $900,000 dollars in funding from the Federal Government.
Upwey Tecoma Bowls Club received $272,000 towards the club’s green and replacing and installing new lights. By 18 November 2020, the club was using the upgraded facilities in preparation for the new bowls season.
On April 9 2022, new netball courts opened at Belgrave Recreational Reserve.
“This project has been a long 5-year process, starting back in 2018 when the Honorable Tony Smith secured $500,000 for our netball courts.” Belgrave Football Netball Club president Julian Schill said.
On February 16, works on a new veranda and reflection garden at Dandenong Ranges RSL were underway, following a $45,000 commitment.
$40,000 towards a new shed for Ferny Creek Scouts was successfully funded in 2019.
