By Dongyun Kwon
Collaboration of a local sport club, a local government and a local federal MP finally came to fruition as the Federal Government’s investment of over $5.7 million for Don Road Recreation Reserve in Healesville has been secured.
The Federal Government announced the funding as part of its Thriving Suburbs Program, which helps fund community infrastructure projects with significant costs, on Thursday 5 December.
As part of the Thriving Suburbs Program, the investment of $5,775,000 will go toward the upgrade of the sporting pavilion at Don Road Recreation Reserve in Healesville to keep community members connected, enrich the quality of life at a local level and enhance social inclusion.
Healesville Football Netball Club president Toby Millman said this upgrade will accommodate the growing Healesville sports teams.
“An upgraded pavilion will provide more room for spectators and players to enjoy local sport. An upgrade is long overdue,” he said.
The grant is going to be used for a replacement of the multi-purpose community and sports pavilion complete with associated amenities to support the multiple sporting clubs, ovals, courts and exercise stations at the reserve.
Mr Millman said the details of the facility upgrade are yet to be discussed.
“We will work in consultation with the Yarra Ranges Council to design suitable facilities to accommodate both the Healesville Football Netball Club and the Healesville Junior Football Club,” he said.
“Aaron Violi has been a strong supporter of Healesville clubs and we can’t thank him enough for his advocacy on the need for an upgrade at Don Road.”
Federal Casey MP Aaron Violi said he was pleased this funding has been secured for the Healesville community.
“Working alongside Yarra Ranges Council, I am pleased this federal funding has been secured and will deliver upgraded facilities at Don Road Recreation Reserve,” he said.
“This upgrade is much needed to support Healesville’s growing population and will allow current and future generations to continue to enjoy the benefits of sport.”
The Thriving Suburbs Program is designed to build better cities and more liveable suburbs, targeting projects, such as sporting and cultural hubs, libraries and parks.
Federal infrastructure, transport, regional development and local government minister Catherine King said the Thriving Suburbs Program is all about building better cities and more liveable suburbs, with the projects getting funding across Victoria set to increase community cohesion, liveability and accessibility.
“Today’s announcement is a demonstration of how our Government recognises the importance of elevating urban areas because that is where most Australians live,” she said.
“Whether sports clubs, urban precincts or community hubs, community facilities are the backbone of connected societies – and they’re becoming increasingly important.”
The program also supplied $1.5m for improvement works at Lillydale Lake to enhance and activate parklands, improve access to the lake, car parking, recreation and fitness facilities.
Yarra Ranges mayor Jim Child said Yarra Ranges Council was appreciative of the significant funding announcement.
“We are delighted to receive more than $7.28 million from the Federal Government’s Thriving Suburbs funds for some much-needed community assets in Yarra Ranges,” he said.
“We know there is a significant need for a new community and sporting pavilion at Don Road, with the current decades-old pavilion no longer meeting community needs.
“The pavilion there has hosted countless community events and sporting games, and the redeveloped pavilion, when completed, will be a home-away-from-home for many Healesville residents for decades to come.
“We look forward to working with the community to start planning and shaping what the new facility at Don Road will look like.”
