Funding win for regional centre

Whittlesea council building. (Damjan Janevski) 329825_03

Whittlesea council has welcomed a $10 million fund from the state government to go toward the Regional Sports Precinct in Mernda.

Premier Jacinta Allan announced the City of Whittlesea would receive the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution funding for an intersection upgrade to support the major recreational precinct.

Council chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the funding was a welcome contribution.

“In order to deliver a project to the scale of the Regional Sports Precinct, Council relies on partnerships with other levels of government,” she said.

“While we have received an election commitment of $20 million from the Victorian Government, we are delighted to receive confirmation of a further $10 million funding which will support the construction of internal roads and transport infrastructure, and includes an intersection upgrade at Everton Drive in Mernda to enable easy access to the new sports precinct.”

Council chief executive Craig Lloyd said the funds would enable Council to continue planning and delivering the Regional Sports Precinct.

“This project will be the largest single investment in social infrastructure delivered by the City of Whittlesea with its benefits expected to be far reaching,” he said.

“We know sports courts, in particular, are much needed in the northern part of our municipality, and we look forward to our community being able to play netball and basketball in their own local area.”

Council recently approved the concept design for the precinct’s indoor stadium and outdoor netball facilities, and ground works on site are expected to begin mid-2024.

Information: www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/regionalsportsprecinct