BENDIGO's Neangar Golf Club received funding during the third round of the controversial Sports Infrastructure Grant Program.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
An auditor general's report found the project run by Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie's office gave priority to projects based in marginal electorates during the third round of funding, announced in April 2019.
These announcements preceded the federal election in May 2019.
The report found priority for projects was given to marginal Coalition electorates and "targeted" electorates held by other parties or independents.
Bendigo electorate clubs received two grants worth a total of $195,000 during the programs first round, awarded in December 2018.
Two clubs within the electorate received a total of $331,600 in the second round, announced in February 2019.
Eaglehawk's Neangar Park Golf Club received $250,000 during the third round.
The electorate is a safe Labor seat. Member Lisa Chesters has held the seat since 2013, claiming 59.04 per cent of two candidate preferred votes in 2019.
The Auditor General's report found the award of funding was not informed by an appropriate assessment process or sound advice.
Senator McKenzie's office ran a parallel assessment process, using other considerations to the Sports Australia criteria, the report stated.
Senator McKenzie was responsible for approving the grant funding.
Sixty-one per cent of total grant applications approved fell below the Sports Australia criteria cut off for funding eligibility.
The Bendigo Advertiser has been unable to confirm how many applications for funding under the program were placed from within the Bendigo electorate.
The City of Greater Bendigo confirmed it had made two applications to the grant fund, one of which was successful the other unsuccessful.
The Epsom Skate Park was successful, while the Garden Gully Hockey Pavilion was unsuccessful.
The city was awarded grant funding of $150,000 for the skate park project.
Two sporting groups also applied with letters of support from the city, one - the Neangar Park Golf Club - was awarded $250,000, the other - the Bendigo Rowing Club - unsuccessful.
Senator McKenzie formerly had an office in Bendigo before moving her base to Wodonga.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.