Richmond Valley Council has won a huge slice of a new $12 million Nationals in the state government program designed to restore and improve flood-hit sporting infrastructure.
Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis and Richmond Valley Mayor Robert Mustow have announced the council has been successful in obtaining $1,579,506 from the Sport Priority Needs Program - more than one eighth of the total funding available.
Mr Gulaptis said key beneficiaries across the Richmond Valley will be cricketers, basketball players and croquet enthusiasts.
In welcoming the funding, Mayor Mustow said sporting facilities in good condition and with suitable amenities encourage more people to be involved in sport, which leads to healthier communities.
Being a keen sportsperson, Cr Mustow said it was important to have fit-for-purpose facilities which would meet the current and future needs of the community.
"Council identified the need for upgrades to a number of local sporting fields and this funding will help refresh these much-used community facilities," he said.
"This is a great investment in community infrastructure."
Project details are:
• Woodburn Oval. $152,574 for underground irrigation
• Colley Park $495,205 to restore playing surfaces, replace basketball court, upgrade lighting and irrigation.
• Queen Elizabeth Park. $436,199 for new cricket nets and field and drainage upgrade as well as $163,169 for a new shed.
• Stan Payne Oval. $179,456 for new cricket nets and field upgrades.
• Windsor Park. $118,146 for field upgrades and new bollards.
• Casino Croquet Club. $34,757 to upgrade playing services and access/safety improvements.
Councils have until this Friday 9 December to apply for a second round of funding. This can be done online at sports.nsw.gov.au
Mr Gulaptis will announce successful projects for the Clarence Valley Council area over the coming days.
