By Meg Kennedy<\/p>\n
The current oval light poles at Ballan Recreation Reserve came from Pentridge Prison, so a grant for new lighting announced by the State Government last week was welcome news.
\nThe State Labor Treasurer Tim Pallas made the funding announcement of $1.6 million at the Reserve as part of the Community Sport Infrastructure Loans Scheme, which provides low-interest loans for councils, clubs and organisations to deliver and improve community sport and recreation infrastructure.
\nThe loan of $1.6 million to Moorabool council will deliver lighting projects at Ballan, Gordon, Wallace, Bungaree and Dunnstown recreation reserves.
\nTreasurer Pallas thanked the Moorabool Shire \u201cfor the way they\u2019ve engaged with the state,\u201d and noted the quality of the Shire\u2019s submission to the scheme.
\n\u201cThe loan will be repaid at a significantly reduced interest rate; where Moorabool Shire and the government pick up half each,\u201d he said.
\nMoorabool Mayor Paul Tatchell said the project is a \u201cnon-political scheme\u201d.
\n\u201cThe extra lighting will open up capacity and give footballers equal opportunity as to what they get in Ballarat.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re making sure we have facilities in moving forward to keep us at the top of our game,\u201d he said.
\nBallan Recreational Reserve President Billy Smith said the grant \u201cmeans a great deal for Ballan Football Netball Club with increased participation\u201d, joking that \u201cthe power bill should go down!\u201d
\nTreasurer Pallas also took the opportunity to announce the Labor Government\u2019s re-election promise of $3 million towards a major redevelopment of the Ballan Recreation Reserve, including a new pavilion, female-friendly changerooms and an extended oval.
\n\u201cWe have to change the way we\u2019ve provided for sport facilities in the past, and that means much more substantial investment from the state in these areas,\u201d he said.
\nThe announcement by Mr Pallas follows on from the Liberal Government\u2019s promise to deliver a $1 million upgrade of the reserve if elected by candidate for Buninyong Andrew Kilmartin.
\n\u201cLabor\u2019s re-election promise is massive for both the club and the community,\u201d Mr Smith said,
\nBut either outcome will mean great news for the Ballan Recreation Reserve.
\n\u201cWe should be (a winner) when it comes election time in November,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Meg Kennedy The current oval light poles at Ballan Recreation Reserve came from Pentridge Prison, so a grant for new lighting announced by the State Government last week was welcome news. The State Labor Treasurer Tim Pallas made the funding announcement of $1.6 million at the Reserve as part of the Community Sport Infrastructure […]<\/p>\n