NEW PAVILION A GAME CHANGER FOR NILLUMBIK SHIRE

The Andrews Labor Government will deliver over $5 million in grants for the booming sports of basketball and netball across the Diamond Valley through its Growing Suburbs Fund (GSF).

Minister for Local Government Marlene Kairouz announced a $2.8 million grant to upgrade the Diamond Creek Netball Club Pavilion and $2.5 million towards the redevelopment of the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre.

The funding win comes after months of community campaigning by the Diamond Creek Force Netball Association and the Diamond Valley Basketball Association. The local sporting clubs organised petitions and met with the Minister at Parliament House to make their case for improved facilities.

The new Netball Club pavilion will include a large multipurpose social room, kitchen/canteen, administration office, dedicated accessible change rooms for both umpires and players, site-wide unisex facilities and storage areas.

It will be able to host education programs for school children and local organisations, as well as provide social rooms for use during the week.

Nillumbik Shire Council will contribute $200,000 to the $3.1 million project, with the Diamond Creek Netball Association contributing $80,000.

$2.5 million has also been secured from the Growing Suburbs Fund for the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre Redevelopment project.

This redevelopment will facilitate a more inclusive and accessible facility for people of all abilities, as well as the opportunity to increase participation in multiple competitive sports including basketball, netball, table tennis, squash and badminton.

Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre is 40 years old and the largest indoor sports centre in Melbourne’s North East and caters for residents across Banyule, Darebin and Nillumbik.

Funding comes from the Labor Government’s $150 million GSF, which aims to improve the amenity, liveability and resilience of communities in Victoria’s 10 interface councils on Melbourne’s fringe.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government Marlene Kairouz

“The new pavilion is a game changer for the netballers of Diamond Creek – we know it’s important and we’re getting it done.”

“The Growing Suburbs Fund is delivering much needed community infrastructure to Melbourne’s outer suburbs.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eltham Vicki Ward

“We have a shortage of basketball facilities in the north east – this important funding will be a great help. The DBVA, along with Cr Grant Brooker, Danielle Green and myself have run a strong campaign to secure this funding. We’ve certainly scored in our community thanks to the Growing Suburbs Fund!”

Quote attributable to Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green

“Vicki Ward and I have worked very hard with our local community to secure this funding. For too long netballers and their umpires have had to get changed in a disused shower cubicle. We’re thrilled this will no longer be the case.