Council has been invited to resubmit its play spaces application as part of a second round of funding available in the Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV) Community Sport Stimulus Infrastructure Program.
In July 2020, the City submitted funding applications to the state government program for a range of pavilions and family-friendly facilities, sports-lighting and play space projects worth nearly $16 million.
The City's application was successful in receiving $2.25 million in sports-lighting grants under the 2020 funding round, which was announced in August last year.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher thanked the state government for the opportunity.
I'd like to thank the Victorian Government for the opportunity to resubmit a funding application to improve these play spaces.
We know that play helps children to learn about the world in which they live, engage with nature, challenge themselves, learn new skills and have fun, so I look forward to the result of our application.
At tonight's meeting, Council endorsed the funding application of $3.33 million to the 2021 Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV) Community Sport Stimulus Infrastructure Program, which includes play space upgrades at:
- St Helens Park in North Geelong;
- Waurn Ponds Skate Park;
- Aldershot Reserve in St Albans Park; and
- St Leonards Skate Park.
Improving these play facilities aligns closely with priorities identified in the 2020 Social Infrastructure Plan, which aims to create well-located, well-designed, fun and accessible play spaces across the municipality.
Councillor Ron Nelson, Chair, Sport portfolio, said this was a great opportunity to fast-track these works.
Access to good quality social infrastructure, like play spaces, is essential for our overall physical and mental health, wellbeing and economic prosperity.
It's welcome news we have been invited to resubmit our funding application to improve these important community spaces and we appreciate the support we have received from the Victorian Government in the first round of this program.
We're hopeful for another positive result so we can progress the upgrades to these facilities for our community.
Council has also committed to fund 10 per cent of any successful project from within the 2021-22 Budget. If all submitted projects are approved, Council would contribute $359,530.
TheSport and Recreation Victoria (SRV) Sport Stimulus Infrastructure Program is a Victorian Government initiative originally announced on 1 June 2020, aimed at funding community sporting infrastructure and supporting local employment.
