Funding boost for local projects

The City of Whittlesea has welcomed more than $8.5 million in State Government funding for three local projects.

Mayor Kris Pavlidis welcomed the news that Council would receive $5 million for the Mill Park Leisure Centre redevelopment; $2 million from the Growing Suburbs Fund, a further $3 million from Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Better Pools Funding program.

$2 million from the Growing Suburbs Fund has also been received for a redevelopment of Main Street Reserve Sports Pavilion in Thomastown.

An All Abilities Playspace planned for Mill Park will receive $1 million from the Growing Suburbs Fund and Mill Park library will also receive almost $560,000 for a redevelopment, from the State Government’s Living Libraries Fund.

Cr Pavlidis thanked the State Government for its significant investment in important local projects.

“In this climate where we are tightening our belts, partnerships with other levels of government to fund projects has never been more important,” Cr Pavlidis said.

“These announcements are wonderful news for the City of Whittlesea.”

The government’s Growing Suburbs Fund provides money to Councils on Melbourne’s rural/urban interface to build community projects.

“The Growing Suburbs Fund is a wonderful program which allows for fast growing municipalities, such as ours, to deliver essential infrastructure to our community,” Cr Pavlidis said.

“Council has already been successful in securing $14 million for 12 projects in the two previous funding rounds of the GSF.

“And we are thrilled that several more projects were successful in this round.”

The Mill Park Leisure Centre redevelopment will include new fully accessible pools and water play features, an enlarged gym and fitness program areas, outdoor fitness, family play and BBQ areas, expansion of the building to provide a new front foyer, reception, and café.

Plans also include new meeting space, redeveloped occasional care area and multi-use program area, all new amenities including family change village, multipurpose school change room and accessible toilets and changing places toilets.

The redevelopment of the Main Street Reserve Sports Pavilion includes the construction of a new community facility, new change rooms and a club space.

The Regional All Abilities Playspace will enable the whole community to play, connect and socialise.

It will include a range of equipment for all abilities and all ages (ranging from newborn to seniors), play structures that have different levels and challenges, large group picnic shelter, an open space area for events, kick around games and sport, a  basketball/netball court and walking  links and loops for children’s riding and skating.

It will also include accessible toilets with a changing places facility, lighting, fencing to allow safe play for children and young adults and accessible parking and bus drop off car park.

Mill Park Library refurbishment includes a refurbishment to the Chancez Cafe area, improvements to the children’s area, updated quiet study spaces and meeting rooms, and general refurbishments such as improved lighting and air-conditioning. 

There will be more flexible spaces and improved children’s literacy areas.