By Tyler Wright and Parker McKenzie
Liberal candidate for Casey Aaron Violi has promised to fund two recreational spaces in the Upwey community if the federal government is re-elected.
$400,000 will be allocated to an upgrade of the netball courts at Upwey Recreation Reserve, and $600,000 to an upgrade of Burrinja Cultural and Community Centre Play Space, Mr Violi announced on Tuesday.
“I’ve seen firsthand it Belgrave once the netball courts are closer to the ground and the facilities it really brings the clubs together and that was important for our plan,” Mr Violi said.
“It’s quite a distance between the current netball courts and it is a priority to continue to support women’s sport and women’s participation.”
Craig Waters, President of the Upwey-Tecoma Football & Netball Club, said the reserve upgrade would allow the club’s netballers to train and play alongside their football teams.
“At the moment we are using a fairly antiquated netball court which doubles as a car park at the high school probably 500 meters away from the main building – we have to hose it off every few weeks just to clean it up so that it’s suitable to use,” Mr Waters said.
“This is an opportunity to construct two new netball courts and includes lighting – we’ll be able to bring them much closer to the main club building; so that incorporates the girls and the netball groups much tighter into the club, and obviously gives us a better training and playing facility for everybody; that’s not doubling as a car park.”
Streeton Ward Councillor Andrew Fullagar said the project was a part of Yarra Ranges Council’s advocacy plan for the election.
“We’re delighted to have that pledge from Aaron Violi, the $600,000 for the Burrinja playground upgrade, and the $400,000 for the play netball courts,” Mr Fullagar said.
“It’s obviously a priority for our community and we’re delighted that he’s responded to that.”
Mr Violi said the Burrinja Cultural and Community Centre Play Space currently supports not only artists but also gives the community a “place to go”.
“To build a new facility outside, It’s a play area, will continue to bring families into the area so that they can visit Burrinja – so it is a really big win for the Upwey community and something I’m really proud to have been able to announce,” he said.
Labor candidate for Casey Bill Brindle said the Liberal party was promising funding commitments “at a rate of about 12 to one” compared to his own party, but he supported advocacy for Upwey Recreation reserve.
“If we do get into government we want to go through that budget to see what sort of mess is there and then try and see what we can do,” Mr Brindle said.
“We’re not rushing into some of these decisions, but that’s the sort of thing that if we get in that I’m really happy to advocate for that because I think it’s a really important project.”
The announcement of funding was made in the final week of the election campaign before the Saturday 21 May election day.
