Council & Business
5 August, 2022
Urban bike park, new netball courts on the agenda
The Central Goldfields Shire Council is seeking funding to rebuild two netball courts in Dunolly as well as plan for an urban bike park at Bristol Hill. At the last ordinary council meeting, councillors moved to make the two funding applications...
The Central Goldfields Shire Council is seeking funding to rebuild two netball courts in Dunolly as well as plan for an urban bike park at Bristol Hill.
At the last ordinary council meeting, councillors moved to make the two funding applications through the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.
According to the report tabled to council, the grant program funds the development of high-quality, accessible community sport and active recreation infrastructure.
The report states a condition and compliance audit report identified significant issues with the two courts at Dunolly’s Deledio Reserve, both having major structural damage.
One court is unplayable and has been decommissioned, according to the report, with the current competition court non-compliant and its lighting not suitable for training standard.
The report states the total cost of the project would be just shy of $1 million, with council proposing to contribute $242,000 and some $727,000 sought through the grant program.
Speaking during the meeting, councillor Gerard Murphy said given the popularity of netball in Dunolly, applying for the grant was a “win” situation for the community.
“The report notes that to ensure a long-term outcome, planning to reconstruct these courts in the near future is recommended,” he said.
“Netball is popular in Dunolly with increasing participation levels, particularly at junior levels.
“If the courts are not brought up to standard the club will have to find an alternative venue which will involve travel to a neighbouring town with the resultant loss of participation.
“It’s proposed to mark one court for multi-use activities which could also be used by the school right next to it and I think that’s a plus.
“I think this is a win situation for Dunolly and the reserve, especially given how much effort the Deledio Reserve Committee puts in and how they work hard on their facilities.”
An application for funding has also been sent for the planning of an urban bike park around Bristol Hill in Maryborough.
Set to incorporate Maryborough’s velodrome, a concept plan for the park was prepared during the development of council’s walking and cycling strategy, according to the report, with community consultation indicating support for the proposal.
Council’s Walking and Cycling Advisory Group has now developed an action plan which includes activating the urban bike park concept plan as a high priority.
The total project cost is just shy of $70,000, with council proposing to contribute $35,000.
Speaking during the meeting, councillor Grace La Vella said she was confident council would be successful in its funding applications.
“What we have here in Central Goldfields Shire certainly sits within the scope for this funding stream and I am very confident we will receive these grants,” she said.