On 20 May I had the pleasure of joining a number of community members at
Birregurra and Forrest for not one or two but three significant announcements
for the local area. Firstly, a total of $243 000 will be invested as part of the
Brumby Labor government’s Small Towns Development Fund and the synthetic
surfaces program. This includes $75 000 to the Colac Otway Shire Council for the
Birregurra Park upgrade, which was initiated by the Birregurra Community Group.
This park was the setting for the announcements and features predominantly in
the life of the Birregurra community. It is a venue for a number of events,
including the monthly markets and annual festivals, and it is also a popular
recreational space.
The second announcement was that a further $108 000 will be
granted for the Tiger section of the Birregurra-Forrest rail trail, which will
complete the first stage of the trail.
Finally, under the Brumby Labor government’s sport and
recreation synthetic surfaces program the Birregurra Bowling Club has been
granted $60 000 to upgrade its surface from a grass green to a synthetic
surface, much to the delight of the president and the treasurer who were present
on the day. Again I take this opportunity to thank the local community for its
hospitality, hard work, enthusiasm and fundraising. I look forward to many
return visits to see the progress and the final implementation of all three
projects.