Elsie Lange
The last $9.5 million in state funding needed for the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct (MRRSP) has been pledged by the Coalition ahead of the state election.
Macedon Liberal candidate Dominic Bonanno was joined by opposition Sport spokesperson Cindy McLeish to make the announcement in Gisborne on Thursday, November 3.
“We had the MRRSP committee there and the whole precinct has been a community led project form the beginning… [to give] local sports clubs and kids and families the certainty they need, because as our communities grow, our infrastructure needs to grow with it,” Mr Bonanno said.
Mr Bonanno said the promise would be delivered in the Coalition’s first term if elected.
Key MRRSP advocate Megan Condron said every delay to the project would increase the cost of its delivery, and the community was “thrilled, but also relieved” to hear the announcement.
“It would be wonderful if the Labor party would be able to match this to finish the project. But we’ve been really fortunate that across all parties, they have been supportive of this project for the last decade,” she said.
“This precinct will support the growing infrastructure for the growth of female sport across the region.”
Macedon Ranges mayor Jennifer Anderson said the funding promise for stage two of the precinct was exciting news, complementing a $15 million commitment from the federal government.
“With many of our stadium facilities already at, or nearing capacity, having a brand new sports precinct based in the Macedon Ranges will mean so many of our residents won’t have to travel outside of the shire to enjoy community sport,” councillor Anderson said.
“We thank the Victorian Liberal party for this commitment and call on all Macedon candidates in the upcoming Victorian election to match this commitment to ensure this really important project can be delivered.”
The precinct, considered a big ticket item in the region, comprises a 15-hectare regional park providing facilities for a range of sport and recreation activities and will be delivered in two stages.
Stage one – a three court sports hub, a natural turf oval and sports pavilion, passive recreation facilities, landscaping and associated infrastructure – is currently underway.
The next stage will include three new courts, changerooms, cricket nets, a function room, additional car parking, a practice oval, outdoor multi-sport courts, additional sports pavilion amenities and more landscaping.
Council chief executive Bernie O’Sullivan said the announcement was “terrific news” for the local community.
