Sport the big winner in budget announcements

INDOOR sports in Torquay were not the only beneficiaries of the state government’s early reveal of projects to be funded by the coming 2018/19 budget.

As well as the $3 million for the expansion of the stadium at Surf Coast Secondary College, Friday’s announcements by Premier Daniel Andrews also included $1.17 million to upgrade the main pavilion, change rooms, oval amenities and netball amenities for the St Mary’s Football and Netball Club, $860,000 for upgrades to facilities and courts at Ocean Grove Tennis Club, and $564,000 for South Barwon Football and Netball Club to upgrade change rooms and spectator facilities.

“I know the great people of Geelong and the Surf Coast love their sport – so whether you’re a fan, a player or both – this package of support will give local clubs and players the facilities they need to grow and prosper,” Mr Andrews said.

The 2018/19 budget will invest $241.6 million in community sport, including more than $100 million to improve facilities and access for women.

It will provide $241.6 million to upgrade facilities at suburban grounds, local clubs and high-performance centres across the state, as well as $60 million for community sporting grants and $5 million for Community Sports Infrastructure Loans, which will unlock up to $100 million to upgrade local facilities.

Sports Minister John Eren said the state government was delivering “the biggest investment in community sport in Victoria’s history” by “upgrading local grounds, change rooms and pavilions so everyone has the facilities they need to play and watch the sport they love”.

Labor candidate for Corangamite Libby Coker welcomed the announcements.

“Labor is about backing Geelong and the Surf Coast – fostering the grassroots clubs in our region will ensure everyone will have the opportunity to get involved and of course show the rest of the country just how great we are on the court,” she said.

“This funding has been badly needed by this growing community; I’m so glad that the State government has recognised just how important our region is.”

There are also extensions of the agreements that the Melbourne Victory and the Victorian Open presently have with Geelong, with the Victory to play one game a season in Geelong until 2021 and the golf tournament to remain at 13th Beach Golf Links until 2022.