Sports bonanza for hepburn and macedon ranges

Five sporting facilities around Hepburn and the Macedon Ranges are receiving upgrades to meet the needs of growing communities and a huge uptake in local women’s sport, thanks to a major boost from the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula today joined Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas to officially open the new facilities at Daylesford and Hepburn United Soccer Club.

The soccer club’s pavilion at Victoria Park has been upgraded through the Labor Government’s Female Friendly Facilities program to support strong growth in female players, with the construction of two female friendly change rooms and showers, accessible public toilets, baby change facilities, a first aid area and office space.

The Female Friendly Facilities fund has also upgraded Hepburn Football Netball Club’s pavilion, with two new female friendly change rooms, umpire amenities, accessible public toilets, baby change facilities, storage and first aid areas.

Malmsbury Cricket Club is preparing to expand and welcome female cricketers, with the club receiving a $100,000 upgrade including three new practice nets, new boundary fencing and re-cladding of the pavilion.

Construction is also starting on a redevelopment of the existing skate park in Daylesford, with the Labor Government providing $240,000 for a modern, challenging and accessible park that will feature a new skate bowl, jumps and tricks section, basketball ring area, shade, seating and new landscaping.

Trentham Football Netball Club has also scored upgraded facilities through the government’s Country Football and Netball Program, and is now able to accommodate more players in its growing netball club.

The Labor Government has invested over $630 million in community sport and recreation facilities across Victoria since 2014.

Minister Pakula acknowledged Hepburn Shire Council and Macedon Ranges Shire Council for their investment in the projects, as well as the local community’s fundraising efforts and in-kind support.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula:
"All Victorians should have access to high quality recreation facilities regardless of where they live, and we want to encourage everyone in Hepburn to get active and get involved in their local sporting clubs."

"More women than ever before are signing up for local sports teams – but too many clubs are being held back by outdated or non-existent facilities. We’re proud to be making sport accessible to everyone."

Quote attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas:
"We’re proud to be delivering the modern sports facilities that Hepburn and Macedon Ranges Shire’s netball, soccer, cricket and footy players deserve, as well as redeveloping the Daylesford skate park to attract users from all around our region."