The Andrews Labor Government is lighting the way for community sport in the Latrobe Valley thanks to the installation of 300 new lux LED lights in Newborough and Traralgon.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today joined community members, local sports teams, and the Council to inspect the completed works on this important $345,000 project.

The upgrade works included new 100 lux LED lights at Monash Recreation Reserve and the installation of an additional 200 lux LED lights, alongside the reconstruction of the netball courts at Traralgon Recreation Reserve.

Completed in time for the new season the works will deliver huge benefits to the Traralgon Football Netball Club and Monash Soccer Club ensuring that both recreational reserves can be better utilised for training and games.

The works have been made possible through the Labor Government’s $5 million Community Managed Places Program for Gippsland sporting venues that are managed by volunteer committees of management.

These works were delivered by the Latrobe Valley Authority and the Latrobe City Council.

The Latrobe Valley is also set to become one of regional Australia’s top sporting hubs, thanks to an unprecedented $85 million investment by the Labor Government in its sporting infrastructure, with a new Aquatic Centre in Traralgon and upgraded ovals, reserves and stadiums throughout the region.

New and upgraded sporting facilities will increase the Latrobe Valley’s capacity to attract and host major events and community programs and improve amenity for local users.

Further works to be completed across the Valley include improvements to the roller derby facility in the Sheep Shed at the Traralgon Recreation Reserve and new change rooms installed at the Morwell East Football Netball Club at Ronald Reserve, to help cater for the growing numbers of women playing football and netball.

For further information, visit www.lva.vic.gov.au/latrobe-valley-sports-community-initiative

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“We’re ensuring our local sports teams have the very best facilities across the Valley – this is about supporting grassroots sport, boosting health outcomes and ensuring the Valley is a great place to live.”

“We’re also delivering the sporting infrastructure the Latrobe Valley needs to host the big games and best stars, which will bring people from across Victoria to the Valley and create hundreds of jobs along the way.”

Quotes attributable to Latrobe Valley Authority CEO Karen Cain

“We want to ensure every Gippslander has the opportunity to participate in active recreation and help provide the best amenities possible for them to do so.”

“Improving sporting infrastructure at nine local reserves through this program is a big step toward that goal and improving health and social outcomes for users of these facilities.”