The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath has spoken in parliament calling on the Andrews Labor Government to support the proposal to develop a new netball, tennis and paintball facility in the Latrobe Valley.
The Moe and District Netball Association (MDNA) is pursuing a plan to significantly redevelop Monash Reserve at Newborough to create a new multisport facility.
“The current facility was built in the 1980s and the asphalt courts are non-compliant,” Ms Bath told parliament.
“The Moe and District Netball Association is desperate to move to the new facility in Newborough at Monash Reserve.”
“Players range in age from five to 55. In fact there were over 800 participants registered last year and this achieved a Gippstar award for outstanding service and contribution to the local community.”
Speaking this week, Ms Bath highlighted that Newborough had not seen the benefit of state government funding for sports facilities that other locations had.
“We’ve seen funding going to sports precincts in many other towns; this project for Newborough is equally as deserving.”
The federal government has already pledged $800,000 towards the project, via Federal Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent.
Ms Bath recently visited Newborough along with Shadow Minister for Sport Tim McCurdy to meet with representatives of MDNA and Cr Sharon Gibson from Latrobe City Council.
Ms Bath has called on the Andrews Government to provide $2.4 million funding for the project, which has an estimated total cost of $3.4 million, in the 2018/19 state budget, or sooner.
