Golden Plains Shire Council has welcomed the allocation of $2,292,587 from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund for the Inverleigh Active Youth Space and Stage 2 of the Bannockburn Skate Park Upgrade.
Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle MP visited Inverleigh on Friday 7 October to announce $1,487,587 in funding for the Inverleigh Active Youth Space project. The project will expand and develop the Yerram Yaluk Bun Play Space in Inverleigh to an active recreation and community space, with the upgraded facility to include a new skate park, BMX pump track, social basketball courts, seating, shade and shelters, alongside lighting and beautification works.
The Active Youth Space designs seek to provide increased opportunities for young people in the growing township of Inverleigh to be physically active, build social connections and encourage positive behaviours. In addition to today’s announcement, the Australian Government has committed $700,000 and Council will contribute $150,000 to complete the funding for this partnership project.
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens MP was joined by Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble and local young people on Monday 3 October to announce $805,000 for Stage 2 of the Bannockburn Skate Park Upgrade. The second stage of the upgrade project will include the construction of a skate bowl, alongside supporting infrastructure including lighting, furniture, landscaping and shelter. The project will extend the current skate park to cater to intermediate and advanced skaters, while providing a space for young people in the Shire to stay active, healthy and engaged.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble says the funding will make the two projects a reality and thanks the Victorian Government for its significant contribution.
“Council is pleased to welcome $2.2 million for these exciting projects from the Growing Suburbs Fund, our fourth significant funding commitment from this valuable program.
“The Inverleigh community have done a fantastic job advocating for the Active Youth Space project and it’s wonderful that their ideas will become a reality thanks to this exciting announcement from the Victorian Government.
“The Bannockburn Skate Park has become a popular community facility since Stage 1 of the upgrade was completed earlier this year, and we are happy to now be able to extend the park to include a skate bowl that caters to more intermediate and advanced skaters.
“Bannockburn and Inverleigh are two of the Shire’s fastest growing communities and Council is delighted to be able to provide young people in the south of the Shire with two first-class, purpose-built facilities to help them stay active and connected.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle MP
“I am so pleased that the ideas of the Inverleigh community can now come to life with the creation of this special space.
“The Active Youth Space will transform our community and I can’t wait to see a couple of slam dunks and ollies once works are finished!”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Geelong Christine Couzens MP
“This investment will provide the Bannockburn community with the facilities they deserve. This will be a first- rate skating facility and recreation area that all the community can use and enjoy.”
This is the fourth consecutive round of Growing Suburbs Fund support for Golden Plains Shire, with close to $6.5 million secured through the program since 2020, resulting in nearly $8.5 million in community infrastructure. Delivery is underway on the Rokewood Community Hub and the Ross Creek Play and Active Rec Upgrade. The Golden Plains Youth Hub was completed and officially opened in April 2022.
Since its establishment in 2015, the Growing Suburbs Fund has facilitated more than $1.07 billion in local infrastructure, created more than 10,200 jobs and supported 299 projects across the fastest peri-urban growth areas in Victoria.
