Campaspe Shire Council endorsed the allocation of funds towards the Rochester Recreation Reserve's Moon Oval lighting project and the replacement of the Mount Pleasant Netball Courts in Toolleen at its meeting on Tuesday night.
Campaspe Shire Mayor, Rob Amos said that it was a great outcome for both communities and that Council is committed to supporting facilities that are so well utilised.
"Both Committees of Management have done a great job in successfully applying for Flood Recovery Grants through the Department Energy, Environment and Climate Action, but there was a shortfall in funding to complete both projects. Councillors felt best course of action was to allocate funds through the budget process for these projects to ensure their successful completion."
The design for the Mount Pleasant Netball project was funded by the Toolleen Recreation Reserve Committee of Management following discussion with Council indicating that if the Committee were to fund the design, Council would seek grant funding for the construction. $180,000 commitment was made from Council for this project.
Chair of the Rochester Recreation Reserve Committee of Management, Mr. Brendan Martin spoke at the Council meeting and explained how important the Moon Oval lighting project was to the Rochester community to help them move forward from last year's floods. Councillors endorsed a commitment of up to $306,000 so that Moon Oval could be fitted with 300 lux lighting to be on par with reserves in Kyabram and Echuca which will allow football games to be played at night-time.
"This is about doing what's equitable for all our communities across the shire and being the support mechanism for the volunteers who put so much time and passion into their local clubs," Mayor Amos said.
Both projects have been budgeted for in Council's 2023-24 capital works program. The full budget can be viewed here(PDF, 5MB).
