Seagulls to install new lighting at oval and courts

BARWON Heads Football Netball Club will install new lighting at its home ground thanks to a $370,000 grant from the Morrison Liberal Government.

Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson announced the federal grant on Tuesday. It will fully fund the installation of new lighting, including LED globes, at Barwon Heads Football Netball Club’s RT Fuller Oval and netball courts.

“I congratulate the club and look forward to seeing the benefits the lights will bring to the Barwon Heads sporting community,” Ms Henderson said.

The investment is part of the government’s Community Sport Infrastructure Grant program that is delivering $28 million for 223 projects across Australia, which will help drive increased participation in sports and physical activity.

“Our government has prioritised investment in local grassroots sports because we recognise the wider health, social and community benefits that come from greater activity and participating in sport,” she said.

Geelong Cement Bowls Club also received $14,000 for new solar panels and Friends of Elcho Park Equestrian Centre received $55,000 for upgrades to its horse yards at Lara.

“The investment in local sporting facilities will go towards upgrades that improve the amenity and functionality like new toilets, upgraded lighting and installing irrigation,” she said.

The number of applications received nationally – more than 2,000 – was far more than anticipated and to meet the obvious interest, the government will allocate an additional $30 million for projects in early 2019 from the existing pool of applications.

This presents Corangamite sports clubs with a further funding opportunity.

“This demand has demonstrated that sporting and community organisations are crying out for help to upgrade their facilities and because of our government’s responsible economic management and delivering a budget surplus, we are in the position to increase the investment,” she said.