Labor pledges $3.15 million for Port reserve masterplan

UPGRADES at the Portarlington Recreation Reserve will be a big step closer if the Andrews Government wins the state election, with Labor pledging up to $3.15 million towards the reserve’s masterplan.

Outgoing Bellarine Labor MP Lisa Neville and Labor candidate for Bellarine Alison Marchant visited the reserve yesterday (Wednesday, October 19) to make the election commitment.

Key initiatives in the master plan, adopted by the City of Greater Geelong in April, include:

• Redevelopment of the main football/cricket pavilion
• Redevelopment of the cricket nets in a fully enclosed multi-use space
• Redeveloped play facilities and bike area encouraging more diverse participation
• Tennis and netball pavilion upgrades
• Improved trail network through active and passive areas
• A redeveloped wetland system
• Duplication of the Agricultural Society shed
• New trees and planting to enhance shade and shelter, and
• Potential for a community garden.

“A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will back local sport and local sports grounds, with up to $3.15 million towards major upgrades to the Portarlington Recreation Reserve,” Ms Marchant said.

“Local sporting clubs are the heart of our local communities and I’m so proud that we’re supporting them to grow and expand – so more people in our community can play for great sports clubs.”

Labor says it is backing local sports clubs and families to deliver better sports grounds and facilities and had invested more than $1.6 billion to upgrade and improve local recreation reserves and sports grounds, including better courts and grounds, new scoreboards, lighting upgrades and changing facilities for clubs in every corner of the state.

“Every parent wants to see their kids active and engaged – local sporting clubs are the heart of so many communities,” Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said.

“This redevelopment is a great example of how the Andrews Labor Government is making sport more accessible, welcoming and inclusive for all, and particularly the growing number of females playing sport.”