Good things come in threes

By Lachlan Ellis

State Government MPs toured three state-of-the-art facilities in Moorabool last week – and our local MP has called for the Federal Government to come to the table on funding one.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence, and Member for Eureka Michaela Settle, joined representatives from Moorabool Shire Council last Thursday to visit the Bacchus Marsh Recreation Reserve, the Darley Park Community and Sports Centre, and the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre (MARC).

Ms Settle said it was fantastic to show the Minister for Community Sport the facilities being built in Bacchus Marsh, but the indoor pool portion of MARC desperately needed Federal funding.

“The last time Minister Spence was in Bacchus Marsh, we were announcing $10 million for the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre. I have written to the Federal Member for Hawke, Sam Rae, and the Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King, to ask the Commonwealth Government to come on board for this vital project for Bacchus Marsh,” Ms Settle told the Moorabool News.

“It was wonderful to show Minister Spence the incredible projects across Bacchus Marsh, funded by the Andrews Labor Government. Bacchus Marsh is quickly becoming a sporting mecca in our region.”

Moorabool Shire Mayor Cr Rod Ward also welcomed Minister Spence to the Shire last week to show the progress of some of their exciting developments.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming sporting groups to both the indoor stadium and the new parts of BMRRR soon – both state of the art facilities that will be able to host an array of different sports and be fantastic community facilities,” he said.

Works are underway on a new Aussie rules football oval, soccer pitch, and all-abilities playground at the Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Reserve, with $3.5 million provided through the State Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program for Stage Two of the Reserve’s Active Sport Precinct.

The $4.1 million Darley Community and Sports Centre is also well underway, with $2.5 million provided by the State Government on top of commitments from Moorabool Shire Council and the Darley Football Netball Club.

And finally, MARC, which is in its first construction phase, will soon offer four indoor sports courts, modern change rooms, versatile meeting spaces, and vibrant community area thanks to $15 million from Moorabool Shire Council, and $1.92 million from the State Government for Stage One.

• $2.9 million has also been provided by the State Government for Stage Two, which will provide a dedicated bowls and community hub, while the proposed third stage would add an indoor pool complex.
• $15 million has been allocated to Stage Three by Council, as has $10 million from the State Government – but both Council and the State Government are urging the Federal Government to come to the table and provide the final $15 million needed.

For more information about infrastructure grant opportunities available, visit www.sport.vic.gov.au.