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“This is a setback for a community that simply wants fair treatment and a council that is prepared to stand with them \u2013 not walk away.”<\/p>\n
Ms Marchant’s calls have been echoed by the Portarlington Football Netball Club, with president Stephen Cogger saying the reinstatement was “well overdue”, as the club works towards fielding a senior female football team in 2026 and faces the prospect of being unable to provide it suitable facilities.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, its netball teams have been forced to train on tennis courts.<\/p>\n
“It’s disappointing that we’re not getting the attention from council that the region deserves.<\/p>\n
“Our numbers are growing, and we’ve got more responsibility with youth, but we’re being restricted by facilities.<\/p>\n
“We understand quite clearly that the governments and councils are short of money, but they’ve found money to invest in other areas within Geelong.”<\/p>\n
Anthony Basford, the city’s executive director of city life, said the delivery of the masterplan for the precinct remains a priority, with future council funding to be assessed “against affordability”<\/p>\n
“We are currently focused on delivering a football\/cricket pavilion change room upgrade, reserve entry and car park upgrade, cricket practice facility upgrade, Oval 2 cricket wicket replacement and Bellarine Agricultural Society shed installation, via $3.75 million in state and federal funding,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We will continue to work with the community and key stakeholders to advocate for further funding to deliver other projects identified in the masterplan in stages.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AS VICTORIAN government-funded upgrades to the Portarlington Recreation Reserve near completion, Bellarine MP Alison Marchant is calling on the City of Greater Geelong to reinstate the funding it previously committed to the project. Ms Marchant pledged $3.15 million to help deliver key improvements, outlined in the city’s own masterplan for the site, ahead of the […]<\/p>\n