By JESSE GRAHAM
SPORT facilities and environmental sites in the Yarra Valley are set to be revitalised if the Coalition is elected in September.
Member for Casey Tony Smith made several election pledges in the past week, concerning Healesville’s sporting facilities and landcare sites across the valley.
If the Coalition is elected on 7 September, Mr Smith said the football pavilion in Queen’s Park would receive $75,000 in funding for an extension of the canteen facilities and shelter/shade space.
Don Road’s Sporting Complex, meanwhile, would receive $500,000 for the construction of a new sports pavilion, which would include team change rooms, a first-aid room, a canteen, meeting and storage space.
The Don Road pavilion would accommodate the soccer and netball clubs, but could also be used for football matches.
The funding would, according to Mr Smith, allow the Yarra Ranges Council to prioritise the projects in its sporting infrastructure budget.
Mr Smith said the total project for the Don Road pavilion would be $1.2million, while the Queen’s Park pavilion would also get $25,000 funding from the council.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said that, if the Coalition are elected, he would welcome the funding.
“If we can get Federal or State Government funding, it’s an absolute bonus for us,” he said.
“It really saves the ratepayers money, which means we can put our resources and our funds to better use.”
The Yarra Ranges Council said on Monday that no decision has been made regarding the council’s funding contribution to the projects.
Mr Smith also pledged to make the Yarra Valley one of the first areas worked on by the Coalition’s Green Army environmental group, if the Coalition is elected.
Areas included in the pledge include Coldstream’s Margaret Lewis Reserve, Coronation Park and Queens Park in Healesville, Yarra Flats Billabong in Yarra Glen and a number of landcare group sites.
The Green Army teams would comprise of nine members aged 17 to 24 years and one supervisor, working to revegetate areas, remove weeds and improve water quality, along with other duties.
Mr Smith said the areas for the potential Green Army were chosen in consultation with the Yarra Ranges Council.
The Mail contacted Labor candidate for Casey Cathy Farrell, who said she would be meeting with Yarra Ranges Council on Monday 26 August and making election announcements in the coming week.
