The Wallan community is celebrating upgrades at Greenhill Reserve with an improved playing surface on the oval plus a playground now operational.
The upgrades to the oval received more than $106,000 from the State Government’s Country Football and Netball Program, more than $150,000 from Mitchell Shire Council and $20,000 from Cricket Victoria.
Mitchell Shire Council Mayor Fiona Stevens said the works to the oval were much needed.
“The works to the ground were absolutely needed and now they’re done the participation on the oval will be able to be increased and it’s looking absolutely brilliant so that’s a credit to all those involved,” she said.
“This is becoming a bit of a jewel in the crown for the south the way I see it and I’m sure the community will appreciate it and put it to good use.”
The funding enabled the reshaping of the main oval to remove low spots and installation of drainage in key sections of the sports fields to eliminate water ponding caused by heavy rainfall.
Greenhill Reserve committee of management president Neal Langborne said the ground was ruined following last year’s floods.
“I’d like to thank all the user clubs who made sacrifices while this development was going – the cricket club who had no use of the ground, the senior and junior football clubs who had delayed access onto the ground till midway through the season,” he said.
“Thank you to all users because your sacrifices and your patience has allowed this facility to be as fantastic as it is.
“I’d also like to thank all our committee who meet once a month who have been apart of this program to get better infrastructure and facilities.”
The playground features new equipment including two multi-purpose play units, climbing rocks, double swings, and logs for nature play.
More trees have been planted around the space providing a shaded canopy, while new seating and furniture allows parents and carers to keep a close eye on their children.
Minister for Suburban Development and Community Sport Ros Spence said the playground invited families to the ‘important community space’.
“We know Greenhill Reserve is a really important hub for sport, for gathering people and meeting up with friends,” she said
“That’s why it’s important to not just focus on the sporting communities but to also have other amenities here that encourage families to come along and enjoy this really important space.”
Cr Stevens said as a grandmother of five herself she could appreciate the quality of the new playground.
“This is a beauty. It is a really good one. The equipment, the landscaping and the spongey covering on the ground are what you look for when you go to play areas with young children,” she said.
The playground project received a $11,000 investment from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and Mitchell Shire Council contributed $75,000 to the project.
