Thursday, 12 December 2019

The Andrews Labor Government’s continued investment into the Latrobe Valley is making Gippsland a fantastic place to live and work, with new community projects underway to keep the region thriving.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today visited Drouin Civic Park, which has received funding through the Latrobe Valley Authority, to announce almost $1.9 million in upgrades to community clubs and infrastructure across the region.

A revitalised Drouin Civic Park is on its way, with $765,000 to build new footpaths, boardwalks, a fitness park, play equipment and toilets as part of the Latrobe Valley Authority’s $20 million Community and Facility Fund. Other projects to receive funding include:

• Boisdale Stables – $167,919 to construct amenity, storage and display spaces at the historic site
• Boolarra Memorial Park – $77,271 to upgrade the electrical power supply and install oval irrigation
• Drouin Bowls Club – $208,027 to replace a grass green with a synthetic surface
• Latrobe City Council – $196,500 for cricket training nets and to relocate four turf wickets at Catterick Crescent Reserve in Traralgon
• Loch Sport Bowls Club – $148,500 for a new synthetic surface and concrete pathways
• Maffra Bowls Clubroom Upgrade – $114,041 to upgrade accessibility, safety and sustainability
• Moe Cricket Club – $26,770 to install solar panels at the Ted Summerton Reserve Pavilion
• Newborough Football Netball Club – $112,819 to construct a second netball court
• Ravens Park Riding Club – $15,128 for a mountain trail obstacle course at Glen View Park in Traralgon
• Gippsland Social Motorcycle Club – $15,000 for the Latrobe Motorfest 2020 at Mid Valley, anticipated to draw 15,000 spectators
• Upper Maffra Mechanics Institute – $2,824 for a business plan for the newly developed space.

More than 180 different community groups across the Latrobe Valley region are now seeing the benefits of improved facilities thanks to the Labor Government’s Community and Facility Fund, delivered as part of the Latrobe Valley Authority’s $266 million package.

Sporting clubs and community facilities that have completed upgrade projects are reporting increased membership and more frequent use of their facilities, which improves the health, wellbeing and community connection of people in the Valley.

On top of their sporting and leisure benefits, these facility upgrade projects have generated significant work for local contractors and tradespeople.

The $20 million fund is now fully subscribed, with LVA staff continuing to work with individual groups to complete projects already underway.

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing MP

We are absolutely determined to continue our support of communities across the Valley, and the upgrades for the sporting and recreation clubs that play such a key role in regional life. 

The success of earlier grants has proven what a difference improved facilities make to pride of place, connection and competition, and they’re also generating huge growth in the use of facilities for a wide range of other community activities.”

Quote attributable to Latrobe Valley Authority CEO Karen Cain

“We’ve been very proud to support more than 180 community groups to improve their facilities and hold events right across Latrobe valley region, which is helping to build local pride and community connections.”