Council welcomes Federal Government funding for sports precinct
Published on 20 December 2024
The City of Whittlesea has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of $11.5 million in funding for the Regional Sports Precinct in Mernda.
Council is expecting to receive $10 million from the Federal Government’s Thriving Suburbs Program and a further $1.5 million from the Play Our Way Program.
Federal Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell congratulated Council on its successful applications during a visit to the Regional Sports Precinct site on Thursday 18 December.
The $10 million grant will help deliver the indoor sports stadium component of the project, including four multi-purpose netball and basketball courts.
The stadium will also feature changerooms, accessible toilets, foyer, reception area, kiosk office space, storage areas and more.
Earthworks to prepare the site for the indoor stadium are continuing ahead of Council awarding a construction tender in 2025.
The $1.5 million Play Our Way Program grant will help fund the construction of eight outdoor netball courts and associated infrastructure such as lighting, fencing and coaches’ shelters.
The Play Our Way Program is designed to remove barriers to participation for women and girls by providing purpose-built sporting facilities.
According to a VicHealth report released in April 2024, the City of Whittlesea ranked 73rd out of 79 Victorian local government areas for organised sport participation among women and girls.
The outdoor netball courts will help meet current demand but also boost participation rates among women and girls across the region.
The Victorian Government is also supporting the Regional Sports Precinct through a $10 million election commitment to assist building the indoor stadium.
The State Government has also provided $10 million from its Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution fund to assist Council build the transport infrastructure surrounding the precinct.
Quotes attributable to City of Whittlesea Mayor, Councillor Aidan McLindon:
“The Regional Sports Precinct is a vital piece of social infrastructure that will provide our growing communities with the sporting facilities they so desperately need.
“Council cannot deliver a project of this size and scale on its own, so we are grateful for the Federal Government’s support through these $10 million and $1.5 million grants.
“We will continue to advocate strongly for funding from all levels of government to help deliver the Regional Sports Precinct and other priority projects.”