Golden Plains Shire Council awarded three new tenders at its Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday 23 July, giving the green-light to construction of the Bannockburn Soccer Pitch No. 2 and Victoria Park Recreation Reserve Sports Lighting, as well as the replacement of Wall Bridge in Teesdale.
The contract for the construction of an adult size natural turf soccer pitch at the Bannockburn Recreation Precinct, inlcuding irrigation and subsurface drainage, two soccer goals, perimeter fencing and gates, at a cost of $416,312.20 was awarded to Global Turf Projects Pty Ltd. Remaining funds will also deliver new coaches boxes.
The number one pitch at the Precinct is used by the Golden Plains Soccer Club five nights per week for training and two days for weekend matches, as well as winter junior hockey training by the Golden Plains Navigators Hockey Club. The new pitch, funded by Council and State Government, will facilitate more training and matches for local junior and adult teams.
The contract for the construction of Victoria Park Recreation Reserve Sports Lighting – Oval 1 and 2 was awarded to DeAraugo & Lea Electrical Contractors for the tendered amount of $439,840. This project is fully funded by the Federal Government and will upgrade the lighting on Oval 1 and deliver four new lighting poles on Oval 2, for training and night matches of the Bannockburn Football Club.
The contract for the Wall Bridge Replacement in Teesdale was awarded to Begbies Contracting for the tendered sum of $573,276, co-funded by Council and the Federal Government.
Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey says that these works projects are great examples of Council partnering with State and Federal governments to improve roads and community facilities in local townships.
“Council is committed to delivering quality infrastructure for the growing communities in Golden Plains Shire. With a new high school and two primary schools, our largest town of Bannockburn will welcome the new soccer pitch and new lighting for both ovals at Victoria Park. Both the home soccer and football clubs, as well as visiting clubs from across the Shire, will benefit from the new infrastructure.
“Safety on our roads is paramount and the existing 98-year-old Wall Bridge on Stones Road will be replaced with a new single lane concrete structure with a wide footbridge for pedestrians with a safety rail, for residents and visitors of Teesdale.
“These projects are success stories for Council and the people of Golden Plains Shire. Council secured a Federal Government grant of $500,000 to fully fund the new sports lighting at Victoria Park and a $303,500 grant from the Bridges Renewal Program to match Council’s investment in the replacement of Wall Bridge. We also locked in a $250,000 grant from Sport and Recreation Victoria to partner with Council’s funds for the second soccer pitch in Bannockburn. In total, these three projects will cost $1.59 million, but less than one-third of that money comes from the Council Budget. It’s a great example of the value of lobbying State and Federal Government to invest in Golden Plains, and we’ll continue to advocate for more support for our local communities.”