On-site work will soon start on the largest of a $2.6 million suite of community infrastructure projects along the Mallee Track following today's official sod-turning for the Murrayville Recreation Reserve Community Complex.
The five projects are part of the Mallee Back on Track initiative, which was established to support the recovery of smaller communities from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
They include:
- Murrayville Recreation Reserve Community Complex and Change Rooms - $2 million
- Murrayville Wetlands and Walking Trails - $150,000
- Stage 2 of the Ouyen Fitness, Health and Wellbeing Centre - $150,000
- Underbool Bowls Artificial Turf Project - $265,716
- Walpeup Hall Restoration Final Stage - $25,125.
Once completed the Murrayville Recreation Reserve Community Complex and Change Rooms will deliver:
- Six female-friendly change rooms including:
- Two netball change rooms
- Two AFL change rooms
- Two unisex umpire change rooms
- Time keeper and first-aid room
- Public toilets
- Kitchen, kiosk and bar
- Social space with spectator viewing.
Mildura Mayor Liam Wood said the suite of projects represented one of the biggest spending injections along the Mallee Track in recent years and was the result of a collaborative effort between Council, the Australian and Victorian Governments, and local user groups.
"This is an amazing result and shows what can be achieved through our ongoing positive relationships with our local Australian and Victorian Government representatives," Cr Wood said.
"Importantly, all five projects will help each respective community in its ongoing recovery from the pandemic, which in the case of our smaller and more isolated communities had a significant impact on residents' mental health.
"These projects will provide a host of opportunities for residents to connect and be more active through increased participation in recreation and social activities.
"They'll also provide much-needed upgrades and improvements to existing facilities, which is certainly the case with the Murrayville Recreation Reserve Community Complex and Change Rooms."
Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green were on hand to officially turn the first sod today at Murrayville.
The Australian Government has invested $1.15 million into the Mallee Back on Track projects through its Building Better Regions Fund, including $850,000 for the Murrayville Recreation Reserve Community Complex and Change Rooms.
The Victorian Government has also supported the project through $500,000 in Sport and Recreation Victoria Local Sports Infrastructure Funding (Female Friendly Facilities stream).
Councillor for Recreation and Events Mark Eckel said that aside from a much-needed replacement for the existing facilities at the Murrayville Recreation Reserve, the new community complex would for the first time cater specifically for female participation.
"Well over half of residents who use the reserve are females, yet up until now the existing facilities haven't reflected this in terms of amenities," Cr Eckel said.
"The combination of female-friendly change rooms, netball change rooms and unisex umpire change rooms in the new complex represent a massive step forward in this regard, which I hope will encourage even more female participation in sport and recreation in the Murrayville area."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster
"I recall my first visit to Murrayville to meet Carly Heintze, Kieran Kelly and the community there, to look at the condition of the old changerooms. To say I was horrified is probably an understatement. It became a priority for me to ensure this passionate sporting community could achieve their rightful expectations of new changerooms and I was determined to support their passionate advocacy to ensure that this was achieved.
"When the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) round 5 opened I suggested to Mildura Rural City Council that they group the Murrayville Sporting Club with other projects to apply for the BBRF. I am really pleased that Council did so, and that the Coalition Federal Government could put over $1 million towards the Mallee Track projects.
"I am particularly thrilled that this has been completed and that now Murrayville can soon welcome teams and proudly host them in the new facilities."
Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green
"This project is a great example of how the Andrews Labor Government is making sport and recreation more accessible, welcoming and inclusive for all Victorians."
"Local sporting clubs are the heart of so many communities, and these new female friendly facilities will help grow female membership and participation at the Murrayville Recreation Reserve Community Complex."
Quotes attributable to Murrayville Recreation Reserve Sports Hub Present Kieran Kelly
"This will revitalise this community. It puts a spark back into the place, that drive and push for people to keep going, and will really give us something to look forward to, especially for the kids.
"It also gives everyone involved a pat on the back as well, a reward for all the hard work. It's going to be incredible.
"I'd like to thank everyone involved, our community, Council staff, Member for Mildura Ali Cupper and Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster for getting us to this point."
