Teamwork helps fund Birregurra sports upgrade

THE Colac Otway Shire has welcomed a $100,000 state government grant towards the redevelopment of tennis and netball facilities at Birregurra.
Shire mayor Frank Buchanan and Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney made the announcement last week at the Birregurra Recreation Reserve.
The redevelopment will create two netball courts (including one multi-use court) and two tennis courts, sports lighting to one netball court and one tennis court, and installation of fencing, Cr Buchanan said the funding was fantastic news for the Birregurra community and for encouraging physical activity and social connectivity in the shire.
“The Birregurra community has been proactive in highlighting the need to improve their facilities through the development of the Birregurra this project as a high priority.” The state government’s grant is in addition to $50,000 from the Colac Otway Shire, as well as $135,000 in cash and more than $16,000 in kind from the Birregurra Recreation Reserve, Birregurra Tennis Club and Birregurra Football Netball Club.
“Undoubtedly this project will position the Birregurra Recreation Reserve as the premier sports facility for the region and as the home of sport for Birregurra and surrounding districts,” Cr Buchanan said.
He said the project highlighted what could be achieved for a community through effective collaboration and a partnership approach for infrastructure investment.
Ms Tierney said the project would provide improved facilities for netball training and pre-game warm-ups as well as a quality base upon which to build competitive and social tennis participation.
“We promised the community the great sporting facilities it deserves, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering.”