Thursday, 28^th February 2019

The Andrews Labor Government is supporting the Neerim Cats to have their best season yet, with a major upgrade to the oval at Neerim South Recreation Reserve.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today announced the $250,000 upgrade through the Labor Government’s 2019/20 Community Sports Infrastructure Fund, to revive the condition of the oval so the whole Neerim community can safely use the ground all year round.

The reserve is home to the Neerim-Neerim South Football Netball Club and Neerim District Junior Football Club, the Neerim District Cricket Club, and is also used by the local community and schools – but the oval’s condition had deteriorated and the surface was not ideal for play, especially in winter.

The project will build a brand new oval surface with automatic pop-up irrigation and new drainage. The synthetic cricket wicket will also be replaced, new AFL standard goalposts will be installed, and the perimeter will be fenced.

The improved facilities will help attract new club members and increase the capacity of the oval to be utilised for more sport and recreation activities.

The Labor Government has invested over $630 million in community sport and recreation facilities across Victoria since 2014, and the Victorian Budget 2018/19 included almost half a billion dollars to support sport and active recreation at all levels.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“Sport and recreation facilities are the hub of communities like Neerim – and we’re proud to be supporting them to train and play better all year round.”

“By improving sport and recreation facilities in communities right across the state, we’re encouraging more Victorians to get active and play the sports they love.”