Funding boost for grassroots sport in Ballarat and Moorabool

The Victorian Government has announced the fast-tracking of upgrades for key sporting facilities across Ballarat and Moorabool Shire to provide better recreational opportunities.

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas (pictured below) announced that the City of Ballarat and Moorabool Shire Council will receive $10 million and $1.6 million respectively, as part of the Community Sports Infrastructure Loans scheme.

In Ballarat, the loan will allow council to bring forward 17 sporting infrastructure projects at 12 sporting clubs in nine locations over the next two years.

Projects include upgrading and constructing female change facilities, improving lighting, and upgrading surface conditions at recreation facilities across the municipality, including a major redevelopment at Victoria Park.

In Moorabool, competition standard lighting will be installed on ovals at Ballan, Gordon, Wallace, Bungaree, and Dunnstown Recreation Reserves, increasing the capacity to allow for additional training and night matches.

The $100 million Community Sports Infrastructure Loans scheme provides low-interest loans for councils, clubs and organisations to deliver and improve community sport and recreation infrastructure.

The Victorian Government has invested more than $420 million in community sport and recreation facilities, and earlier this year provided almost half-a-billion-dollars in the Victorian Budget 2018/19 to support sport and active recreation at all levels.

Announcing the funding, Treasurer Pallas stated "we’re investing in the health and wellbeing of all Victorians - encouraging communities to get out there and get active.

“Upgrading sporting facilities, change rooms and local grounds will ensure Victorians have the facilities they need to be active and involved in the community.”

Victorian Minister for Sport John Eren added "we’re delighted to help local council’s and clubs deliver more sport and active recreation infrastructure – so more people can play and watch the sport they love, wherever they live.

“By working together, we’re making sport more inclusive, more accessible, and creating new jobs and volunteer opportunities.”

For further information on the Community Sports Infrastructure Loans scheme, go to sport.vic.gov.au/loans.