• 1. The taxpayer cost of a new bridge alignment, estimated at an addition of $2.5 million, is unjustified.

• 2. The cost to local trade/industry by the new bridge alignment is estimated at $1,168/weekday. This must be offset against the projected income from the use of the facility.

• 3. The cost to local trade/industry of the Breakwater road diversion around the end of the facility has been estimated at $515/weekday, the benefit of the Fellmonger's Road extension option on the present planning scheme, is estimated at $81/weekday.

• 4. It will cost $715,000 to downgrade a major arterial road (Breakwater Road), which will still be liable to flood damage.

• 5. There is no guarantee that the watersports facility will attract international events because competition from existing facilities built recently at Penrith and Nagambie, and the number of such events is limited.

• 6. It is acknowledged that the National Water Sports Centre at Carrum is a "white elephant". The Geelong facility could be equally under-utilised.

• 7. An existing, profitable golf course which is used for 25,000 rounds of golf per year, generates an income of $407,000 and creates 6 full-time jobs, will be lost without comparable job creation in the proposed facility. It pays for its own maintenance through a maintenance lease of $158,000 to Council.

• 8. Studies identify the Belmont Common to be a valuable component of the regional biodiversity of the Greater Geelong region, because of its wetlands, grasslands and treed areas. Although it is claimed there will be no significant loss of biodiversity on a regional scale, the destruction of the grasslands and treed areas, and the threat to the wetlands, will cause loss on a local level. 6000 mature trees will be destroyed.

• 9. The construction of the course is acknowledged as impacting on the adjacent section of the Barwon River. The degradation of the river, its riparian environment, and the risk of floods or blue-green algal blooms which would disrupt rowing or other water events, makes the site unsuitable.

• 10. Floods are frequent and unpredictable and these will inundate the complex. Latest plans include permanent structures on the water course, which would be liable to damage.

• 11. The overall area of the Common is finite and there is inadequate space for car parking and other facilities the complex may need in the future.

• 12. Council has never properly assessed the use of Belmont Common, nor its value to the community. There are other options for the use of the Crown Land, which Council has not explored.

• 13. The scheme directly benefits a very small proportion of the sporting community. The Barwon River successfully accommodates watersports users, few of whom would ever require an international length course.

• 14. The estimated cost of construction has already risen by $2 million. If there are further cost blowouts, the State government could be asked to make further financial contributions.

• 15. The cost of construction is now estimated at $8.7 million. If such an amount is available for Geelong it could be spent better elsewhere in the city, directly benefiting a larger section of the community.