Up to $50,000 will be made available to the Surf Coast Council, Colac-Otway Council and Corangamite Council thanks to a $4.7 million Bracks Government package to help drought-proof local sporting facilities, the Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP said.
Ms. Tierney said local sporting grounds were suffering from the effects of the drought and it was important that young people could continue to play sport.
“Every Victorian council on Stage 3, 3a or 4 water restrictions will be eligible for $50,000 to reduce the impact of the drought on local sporting facilities,” Ms. Tierney said.
“Funding will be for projects that can reduce water loss from council pools, use recycled water at sports clubs, and resurface playing areas with synthetic or drought tolerant surfaces,” she said.
Ms. Tierney said the Drought Relief for Community Sport & Recreation Program builds on the successful $1.9 million Drought Relief for Country Sports Program announced last October which provided funding to rural and regional councils for similar projects.
Ms. Tierney said the grants will allow the Councils to take immediate action to keep sporting facilities open and implement water saving projects that will provide long-term reductions in water use by sporting grounds.
“This is about helping local sports – a cornerstone of our community – thrive, not just survive,” she said.
Ms. Tierney said the $4.7 million package also included $55,000 for the Municipal Association of Victoria to establish a technical advisory committee to provide expert advice on drought proofing techniques to local councils and clubs.
Ms. Tierney said the Bracks Government ($4.05million) had teamed up with the AFL, Tennis Victoria and Cricket Victoria ($200,000 each) as well as Football Federation Victoria ($75,000) to deliver the Drought Relief for Community Sport and Recreation Program.
“We are planning for the future. This year’s competitions are important, but we want to make sure that grassroots sport remains a strong and integral part of our local communities in years to come,” Ms. Tierney said.
“Councils, sporting associations and local clubs, as well as the Bracks Government, have all been working hard to keep local sport strong and healthy in this drought.”
Information and guidelines for the Drought Relief for Community Sport and Recreation Program are available online at www.grants.dvc.vic.gov.au