$1M boost for Ocean Grove sports field

COLLENDINA Reserve would get a $1 million road funding boost under a Labor Government.

Bellarine candidate Alison Marchant made the funding pledge this week for a project she said would improve pedestrian and vehicle access and safety at the Ocean Grove reserve.

“Sport is such a big part of our community, it’s why we’re investing in upgrades and improvements so more local families can stay active and get engaged,” she said.

“A re-elected Andrewes Labor Government will back local sports clubs and local athletes, with $1 million towards making it easier and safer for everyone to access Collendina Reserve.”

Construction of internal roads and car parking were recommendations under the City of Greater Geelong’s draft Ocean Grove Sporting Infrastructure Plan released in May.

The city had proposed reconfiguring Collendina’s entry, play space and internal roads, formalising off-road parking at Minerva Close and improved pedestrian paths as part of a masterplan for the site.

User groups Ocean Grove Cobras Junior Football Club and Collendina Cricket Club had identified the road improvements as necessary upgrades during consultation on the city plan.

An expanded pavilion with boosted capacity for tenant clubs was part of the big-picture plan to improve the reserve.

COGG has finished consultation on its draft infrastructure plan and is due to endorse it by the end of this year.