Sport and recreation facilities are at the top of the agenda in the marginal seat of Corangamite with both the Liberal and Labor candidates focussing their campaigns around local community groups like local surf life saving clubs and recreation centres.

Labor candidate Libby Coker has pledged $15 million to build a new aquatic centre in Torquay, in addition to a bipartisan promise of $10 million at the last state election.

Incumbent Liberal MP Sarah Henderson is also leading a campaign to build a new pool for the Bellarine Peninsula.

Four lifesaving clubs – Jan Juc, Anglesea, Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale – have received a combined $2 million in federal grants in recent months.

While Labor has pledged more than $700 000 to two Geelong sporting clubs if they win office in the next federal election.

It seems that the May 18 election is going to be less about cuts, and more about who is going to make the biggest cash splash.

(Photo courtesy of Sarah Henderson)