Moira Shire Mayor Libro Mustica, Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum, Moira Shire Deputy Mayor Peter Lawless and Moira Shire Council Director Infrastructure Services Joshua Lewis, shake hands on the $3.3 million funding provided by the Australian Government’s Community Development Grants Programme towards the multisport stadium construction.
The Yarrawonga Multisport Stadium construction could begin in the next couple of months with a further $3.3million being injected into the project announced last Friday.
The announcement of $3.3 million in further funding comes from the Australian Government’s Community Development Grants Programme which will see the stadium’s construction fast tracked.
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Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum visited Yarrawonga last Friday to deliver the news with the project currently out to tender and preliminary works such as the road leading into the stadium and car park now complete while the gravel has also recently been laid for the stadium itself.
“This has effectively been on the books for three years now,” Mr Drum said.
“It has had to go through a number of parliamentary systems, but we are now able to announce this funding of $3.3 million which I am very pleased to hand over.
“It is fantastic that we have been able to get cold hard cash that will be irrespective of the election result.
“Thank you to Moira Shire Council for being so patient.
“It has been fantastic to be able to deliver this funding for this fantastic project for the region.”
The Community Development Grants Programme is aimed at improving certain conditions prevailing in a community or to develop the quality of living of a community as a whole. It also assists to construct and/or upgrade facilities to provide long term improvements in social and economic viability of local communities and to create jobs in the delivery of projects and ongoing use of the infrastructure.
Moira Shire Mayor Libro Mustica was at the announcement and said he was absolutely ecstatic to receive this funding which will kickstart the proceedings and provide several jobs throughout construction stages and once opened.
“We’ve been waiting for three years for this, but the community has been waiting for thirty so it is fantastic to finally be able to deliver this project for Yarrawonga and the wider community,” Mr Mustica said.
“We as the Moira Shire Council are so appreciative for this funding and we thank Damian for supporting Moira. This funding is a game changer.
An artist impression of part of the Yarrawonga Multisport Stadium.
“This has been one of council’s number one priorities. It will be a great asset for the community as a stadium but will also provide jobs throughout the construction stages as well as once it is opened which is also great for the community.
“All the funds are now there, and the contract is out to tender meaning we are only steps away from this fantastic development beginning.”
Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association President Amanda Wheaton has been a keen advocate for the stadium for many years and was elated to hear the project construction can almost get underway.
“The news of this additional $3.3 million funding from the Federal Government is absolutely fantastic,” Ms Wheaton said.
“The financial support for the project by both the state and now federal government shows how much this facility is needed by our community and we can’t wait to see construction start.
“The plans look great, and it will be amazing to see it come to life, hopefully in the very near future.”
The project value for the construction of the stadium as a whole is $9.9 million which has been jointly funded by Moira Shire Council, the Australian Government Community Development Grants Programme, and the Victorian Government Local Sports Infrastructure fund, as well as a low interest 2020-21 Community Sports Infrastructure Loan and the Yarrawonga-Mulwala Basketball Association.
In June 2021 council received $2 million as part of the 2021 Victorian Local Sports Infrastructure Fund. Earlier that month they were also successful in securing $7 million in low interest loan funding to deliver stage one of the stadium.
The stadium will be constructed in three stages with stage one to include the entrance foyer, cafe, kitchen, tournament office, meeting room, toilets and showers, multipurpose room, umpire rooms, first aid room, changing place and four changerooms, each include a fully accessible toilet and shower and of course two multipurpose courts with seating.
The changerooms are designed so that two are accessible from the outside so that netball and other sports are able to utilise these. For large tournaments in the stadium, all four changerooms will be accessible.
Stage two will include two additional multisport courts - concept only shown on floor plan while stage three will include an indoor pool facility including changerooms, toilets and showers - concept only shown on floor plan.
The floorplans which show the formation of four multi-use courts, four unisex accessible change rooms including accessible amenities, as well as multi-purpose rooms, the addition of an indoor aquatic facility, multipurpose room and meeting room to name a few.
