MITCHELL SHIRE has received a funding boost thanks to the Victorian Government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund to deliver sport and recreation projects across the Shire.
Council has secured $500,000 towards a $1.132 million project to reconstruct four tennis courts and associated lighting at Harley Hammond Reserve, with council contributing $632,000.
Council has received $250,000 towards a $370,000 lighting upgrade at LB Davern Reserve in Wandong, with council contributing $120,000.
The project will deliver upgraded lighting to the oval, improving safety and usability and enabling increased training and competition opportunities. It is expected to deliver up to eight additional hours of mid-week training capacity, helping to ease pressure on facilities in Kilmore.
Council has secured a further $37,500 towards a $50,000 planning project for the Pyalong Recreation Reserve Hall. The council will contribute $12,500.
The project will develop initial design outcomes for future upgrades, including new toilets, changerooms and improved amenities.
This will support existing user groups and position the site for future funding opportunities.
Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall thanked the government for its support.
“This funding allows us to invest in facilities that support more people to get involved in sport and active recreation, close to home. Projects like these are shaped by what our community has told us they need – better access, more capacity and facilities that are inclusive and fit for purpose.”
Sean O’Connell, the president of the Wandong Junior Football Club who use the LB Davern Reserve and rely on the lights to run training sessions, said the club was expecting the upgrade to be done early in 2027.
“Everyone will be rapt next year when we get back to training and turn the lights on and they all work,” he said.
Mitchell Shire will provide updates on the projects’ timelines and impacts of construction as planning progresses.