The Member for Northern Victoria said improvements to war memorials – such as the Bendigo Military Museum – were important as the Anzac centenary drew near.  

He said there was also strong local support for the $30 million Kangaroo Flat Aquatic Centre, but said funding from the federal government was increasingly unlikely.

“That was always pitched to us as a three tiers of government contribution,” he said.

“We were never able to get the previous Labor government to commit funding to that project, and we have not been able to get the current Coalition federal government to commit to it.

“So that project as it stands is now $10 million short.”

But Bendigo mayor Barry Lyons said the council was not ruling out federal funding and was awaiting a meeting with Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Warren Truss.

“I wouldn’t discount (federal funding) yet,” he said.

“We have some direct requests to Warren Truss’ department to fly to Canberra and have that discussion as soon as possible.”