My adjournment matter is directed to the Minister for Community Sport, and the action I seek is for the minister to join me at the local sports facilities in the Glen Waverley district that received funding in the latest budget. The Glen Waverley district is proudly home to excellent sporting clubs supported by quality community sporting infrastructure. We know, as the sporting capital of the nation, just how important sport is to bringing our community together and giving opportunities in participation and growth. Not only does it allow people to be the best versions of themselves and learn valuable lessons such as leadership and teamwork, but it also provides a significant benefit to Victoria’s economy.
Major events, a key driver of the state’s economy, which include numerous sporting events, contributed some $37.8 billion of tourism spending in 2023, and recognising this potential, in the 2024–25 budget the Allan Labor government made two excellent investments in community sport in the Glen Waverley district. Five hundred thousand dollars of funding has been announced for the delivery of a new pavilion at Brandon Park Reserve, home to the proud Mazenod Football Club and the Mulgrave Wheelers Hill Cricket Club. This reserve is used as a local community hub all year round. With a soccer pitch, cricket oval and basketball and netball rings, this widely used facility will greatly benefit from the rebuilding of the existing pavilion. I am also pleased to place on record how proud I am to see the terrific rise in women’s and girls’ participation in local sport, with both Mazenod Football Club and Mulgrave Wheelers Hill Cricket Club hosting terrific women’s sports pathways.
In further positive news for our community the Allan Labor government is investing $300,000 for the resurfacing of the Central Reserve south oval in Glen Waverley. The Mazenod Old Collegians Football Club and the Mazenod Panthers All Ability Football Club both play AFL at Central Reserve, and I know just how excited they are that their home ground will be receiving an upgrade. The Old Collegians have an excellent football program in place, with boys and girls teams for both juniors and seniors, and the Panthers do an incredible job in providing an opportunity for people with an intellectual disability to compete and participate in sport.
I am proud to be part of the Allan Labor government, which supports inclusion, diversity and opportunities for all through our investment in community sport. I know what a difference these upgrades will make for my community, and I thank the minister and her team for their hard work. I look forward to the minister’s response, and I hope she can join me at Brandon Park Reserve and Central Reserve south to celebrate these upcoming upgrades.
Minister’s Response:
I would like to thank the Member for Glen Waverley for his question and for his strong commitment to community sport and active recreation in his local community.
Providing high-quality, accessible community sport and active recreation infrastructure, is a key objective of the Allan Labor Government and is integral to the health and wellbeing of all Victorians. To achieve this, the Victorian Budget 2024-25 is providing more than $23 million to continue delivery of community sport and active recreation infrastructure and programs to increase participation opportunities and improve accessibility, which builds on the more than $1.9 billion invested in community sport and recreation infrastructure by the Allan Labor Government since 2014.
I am pleased to advise that, through the Victorian Budget 2024-25, up to $300,000 has been allocated for surface upgrades on the south oval at Central Reserve and up to $500,000 has been allocated towards the delivery of a new pavilion at Brandon Park Reserve, in Glen Waverley.
These important community projects will provide safe and welcoming facilities and encourage participation by more women and girls in the area. I am pleased that these upgrades will benefit local AFL, soccer and cricket clubs including the Mazenod Old Collegians Football Club, Mazenod Panthers All Ability Football Club, Mazenod Football Club, Richmond Cricket Club and the Mulgrave Wheelers Hill Cricket Club.
I would also like to thank the Member for Glen Waverley for his invitation to visit Central Reserve and Brandon Park Reserve and I look forward to doing so, to hear from the hardworking volunteers of these clubs about what their needs are.
Sport and Recreation Victoria will be in contact with Monash City Council from July 2024 to progress the planning and delivery of these important infrastructure projects.
I thank the Member for Glen Waverley for championing these important initiatives and I look forward to seeing these projects progress for the benefit of the local community.
The Hon. Ros Spence MP
Minister for Community Sport
