Players, members and supporters of the Greta Football Netball Club are set to benefit from a $20,000 Brumby Government grant to manage the impact of drought on its playing surfaces.
Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino visited Greta Recreation Reserve today to announce the Country Football Netball Program grant to install an automatic irrigation system at the ground.
“This football club is at the centre of social activity in Greta, but extreme dry conditions and water restrictions over recent years have taken their toll on the playing surface,” Mr Merlino said.
“Local clubs like Greta Football Netball Club are the lifeblood of sport in their local communities, which is why the Brumby Government is committed to supporting grassroots sporting clubs and associations.
“The effects of the drought have forced us to think of new ways to keep sport alive in the face of climate change. Water management initiatives like this project help to ensure that community sport is played across Victoria no matter what the weather brings.”
Installation of the new irrigation system will complete recent water efficiency upgrades at the reserve. The first stage of the project allowed the club to install a bore to source water to help repair the damage created by dry conditions at the Greta Recreation Reserve.
The funding is part of the $10 million Country Football Netball Program, which has contributed towards the redevelopment and construction of more than 200 community sporting facilities.
Mr Merlino said the $20,000 Brumby Government grant was in addition to a $20,000 Drought Relief for Country Sports Program grant, provided to the club in 2007 to assist with the establishment of the bore.
“These funding programs have helped us highlight the importance of smarter water use and we’re seeing more sporting associations, clubs and councils putting efficient water practices into place than ever before,” he said.
“We also want to provide more opportunities for people to stay healthy and active, which is what the Brumby Government’s $150 million Go for your life campaign is all about – getting more Victorians involved in sport and recreation in their local community.”
Mr Merlino commended Wangaratta Rural City Council for its $22,000 contribution and the Greta Football Netball Club for providing more than $12,000 to the project.
From the Minister for Sport & Recreation
Tuesday, 02 September 2008.