A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will invest up to $1.5 million towards the design and construction of an upgrade at Springfield Park, Box Hill North delivering new facilities that the whole community can be proud of.
As you may recall from my previous email on this matter in April 2022, or through your conversations with the Whitehorse Colts Football and Netball Club, a petition was lodged with Whitehorse Council in December 2021 calling on Council to fund the feasibility, design and installation of an outdoor netball court at Springfield Park (https://bit.ly/3sZUbXv).
The response to the petition was overwhelming, with the petition garnering more than 1200 signatures.
The council’s report into a new netball facility was tabled in May, but at the time Council did not support the proposal put forward by the club due to several site concerns.
Unfortunately, without Council’s support, the project could not proceed regardless of funding promises made.
Over the last six months, I have worked hard to secure the support of Whitehorse Council for a project at Springfield Park that would benefit both the club and local community.
In June, I spoke on the floor of Parliament about this issue (https://bit.ly/3IytqjS). I also met with Netball Victoria to seek their support for the project. In July, I met with council officers and club representatives to further progress the project, and also met separately with the Mayor and CEO of Whitehorse Council, where this issue was raised. At these meetings, it was made clear to Council that a solution was required to be found at Springfield Park, not at an alternative venue.
During that time, tenant clubs also worked tirelessly behind the scenes with Council on an alternative proposal that would address Council’s main concerns.
I am pleased to report that thanks to the effort of all involved, at its meeting of 24 October 2022, Whitehorse Council resolved unanimously to support the provision of a multipurpose hard court training facility (and ideally minor nets extension) at Springfield Park - which enabled a funding announcement to be made on Thursday.
The $1.5 million funding commitment from a re-elected Labor Government will make an enormous difference to the tenant clubs, but especially all the girls in our local community
