Council seeks funding for Port playground upgrade

THE City of Greater Geelong will seek funding to redevelop the W.G. Little Reserve playground in Portarlington, which it says is “at the end of its life”.

The council will apply to the state government for the funding under its 2019-20 Community Sport Infrastructure Fund (CSIF).

The W.G. Little Reserve playground is in a prominent public location and is highly used, but is in poor condition.

After a review of playgrounds across the region, it was identified as in urgent need of redevelopment.

It’s proposed the cost of the $400,000 project would be shared between the council ($100,000), the state via the CSIF ($100,000), and the Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee ($200,000), who manage the land occupied by the playground.

Social and Infrastructure portfolio co-chair Cr Anthony Aitken said the W.G. Little Reserve playground in Portarlington was at the end of its life and desperately needed to be redeveloped.

The council said this was a playground widely used by children from Portarlington and across the region, meaning an upgrade would have a large positive impact for the local community.

Under the state’s 2019-20 CSIF, councils can submit applications for a total of $250,000 in funding for up to two projects.

The council will also apply for funding for a changeroom upgrade at Barwon Soccer Club, the biggest soccer club in Geelong, which has around 380 male and 100 female players.

An upgrade of the club’s change facility would bring it into line with Football Federation Victoria standards, which require two sets of change facilities and gender neutral amenities.

If the grant application is successful, the $499,000 project would be funded by the CSIF ($150,000), council ($325,000) and the club itself ($24,000).

The council’s financial contribution to both projects would be included in its 2019-20 budget. Information on how to apply can be found at geelongaustralia.com.au/grants.