Swift’s Creek netball courts raised in Parliament
0 comment

Swift’s Creek netball courts raised in Parliament

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, in Parliament this week used the adjournment debate on Tuesday to request the Sports Minister fund the upgrade of the Swift’s Creek netball courts.

Mr Bull said the project was a pre-election commitment of the Coalition and told the Minister he’d been advised by community members that East Gippsland Shire currently had an application pending through the Country Football and Netball funding program.

“Swifts Creek is a small rural community which has a very active football and netball club participating in the Omeo and District Football Netball League. As we see in many country communities, in many ways the football netball club is the backbone of the Swift’s Creek community.

“Football and netball clubs are the heart of small rural towns and the more kids we can get into local sport the better, so it is important we invest in facilities like these.

“The Swift Creek Recreation Reserve Committee of Management and the East Gippsland Shire Council have both identified the current playing surface is in need of significant repair.

“This project proposes major drainage works to reduce the impact of water on the courts as well as patching and resurfacing works and line marking.

“The existing surface is currently problematic for the netballers, especially in wet weather, so this upgrade will be a big benefit for players and reduce the likelihood of injury.”

Mr Bull said the club had $14,000 to contribute to this project, which was a significant contribution for a country community and an indication of the local enthusiasm to have this project completed.

“Of course the Minister should also be aware he is more than welcome to come to East Gippsland and have a look at the facilities and it would be my delight to host him in the light of some sort of announcement.

“In fact I would be delighted to shout him one of the famous Swift’s Creek pies should he see his way clear,” Mr Bull said.

The Sports Minister now has one month to respond to Mr Bull’s formal request.