18 Mar 2016 Border Mail, Albury-Wodonga (General News) by Shana Morgan A $1.5 million cash injection into Wangarattas aquatic plan could help the council avoid a wipe out on a major federal government funding bid for a second time. The wave of support from the Victorian government was announced on Thursday when upper house MP Jaclyn Symes visited Wangaratta Indoor Sports and Aquatic Centre. The money will go towards a second warm hydrotherapy pool and disability-friendly change facilities at the centre. Chair of administrators Ailsa Fox welcomed the pool funding as a benefit for sporting clubs and elderly people over 65-years-old, who will make up more than 25 per cent of Wangarattas population in 2026. There are current demand levels within the region to support a 50 per cent increase in hydrotherapy use in the first year, 40 per cent in year two and 20 per cent in year three, she said. Wangaratta was knocked back in December for more than $4m in federal funding to build a new 50-metre outdoor pool at the Barr Reserve. The Victorian governments contribution of $1.5m was included when the council resubmitted its bid on Tuesday for round three of the National Stronger Regions Fund. Im certainly behind the council and their cause for funding from the feds, Ms Symes said. I reckon it puts a little bit more pressure on them. The states got skin in the game and I would certainly welcome the federal governments contribution to this project. Wangaratta Lawn and Booraman tennis clubs also received a share of $95,000 to install lighting at both sets of courts, upgrade the surface at Boorhaman and purchase new nets for Wangaratta. The government wallet remained open during a trip to Corryong, where Ms Symes announced $2m to expand the airport and relocate Department of Environment, Land, Water and Plannings firefighting base from Avondale to Corryong. The Corryong Airport precinct is currently underutilised, with restrictions on night-time landings and inadequate infrastructure hampering development and use of the airport, Ms Symes said. Copyright Agency licensed copy (www.copyright.com.au)