General News
29 April, 2024
Council backs bid to see Deledio Pavilion project underway, seeking federal funding
For a project that has seemed destined to happen over the last few years, Dunolly residents are cautiously optimistic for Central Goldfields Shire Council’s application of $2 million in federal funding to commence the Deledio Recreation Reserve...
For a project that has seemed destined to happen over the last few years, Dunolly residents are cautiously optimistic for Central Goldfields Shire Council’s application of $2 million in federal funding to commence the Deledio Recreation Reserve Pavilion project.
At the ordinary council meeting last Tuesday, council approved an application to the Federal Governments’ Play Our Way Fund, a $200 million program aimed to remove barriers faced by women and girls in participating in sport.
The project would commence the construction of a new club pavilion, which would include four change rooms suitable for all sports and for women, a trainers room, office space, social rooms, kitchen and kiosk facilities, public toilets and other amenities.
With $2 million being the maximum amount for this grant, and to “strengthen the application”, council will contribute $500,000 to the project if the grant is approved, bringing the project’s total to $2.5 million.
In 2022, two election promises were made towards Deledio Reserve, with both failing to materialise.
In May of that year, The Nationals’ Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster announced a federal Coalition Government would invest $3.6 million into a new pavilion if re-elected.
While retaining her seat of Mallee, the Coalition Government was replaced by the current Albanese Government.
One month later, then member for Ripon Louise Staley announced an elected Liberal-Nationals State Government would inject $1.5 million into potential works.
During the announcement, Ms Staley told The Advertiser that the state of the then 50-year-old pavilion was “the worst I had ever seen”.
President of the Deledio Reserve Sports Committee Sonya Richards-Stuart also said to The Advertiser at the time that the promise was “the closest we’ve come” to an upgrade they had been waiting nearly 20 years for.
Ms Richards-Stuart continued stating the facility had “asbestos, termites, [and] the slab is cracked”.
The Liberal-Nationals Govern-ment would also lose out in the 2022 state election, with Ms Staley losing her seat to the current Member for Ripon, Martha Haylett.
In March 2023, council collaborated with the Deledio Recreation Reserve Committee to submit an application to the State Governments’ Regional Community Sport and Infrastructure Fund, with an outcome expected to be announced in either May or June this year.
As stated in the most recent report from last weeks council meeting “the application is for $1 million in grant funding, with a $1.5 million co-contribution from council through future borrowings”.
The report continues to explain the reason for the separate applications is “to increase the probability of receiving funding for this critical community asset”.
Central Goldfields Shire councillor Grace La Vella, who moved the recommendation last Tuesday, said the project is a top priority for council as identified in the Dunolly and District Community Plan, Deledio Recreation Reserve Masterplan, and the Priority Projects Plan.
“Deledio Reserve is one of our major priorities on our priority list, an application is an opportunity for council to see the Deledio Recreation Reserve pavilion project realised and that’s something I know the mayor has been aiming for,” she said.
“If successful, council will be able to deliver a brand new sporting pavillion in Dunolly which is inclusive and meets contemporary standards.”
Central Goldfields Shire councillor Anna De Villiers said she is hopeful it is finally time for Deledio Reserve.
“I think this is a wonderful opportunity to give the Deledio pavilion an upgrade that is way over due — I think if this is upgraded, there will be a lot of new players at the club” she said.
“The buildings as it is at the moment are completely inadequate and not quite fit for use so I support this application.”
