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Wellington sports clubs celebrate funding boost for better sports facilities, community participation and local jobs

Wellington sports clubs will benefit from nearly $24 million for upgraded facilities, boosting local participation, community wellbeing, and jobs through the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.

By news@gippsland - 8th July 2025 - Back to News

Dozens of regional sport clubs across Victoria including in Gippsland will score better facilities boosting participation, local communities and jobs, thanks to the Allan Labor government. Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today announced 41 new projects will share in almost $24 million from Round 2 of the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund (RCSIF), investing in women and girls' change rooms, sports courts and fields and more.

The $613,910 funding grants will upgrade Sale Tennis Club courts, add hotshots and pickleball courts, install LED lighting, new fencing, and a practice wall

Game changing investment

The Fund is a game-changer for regional Victoria, with 67 infrastructure projects and 8 participation initiatives now supported, as part of the more than $2.4 billion invested by the Labor government in community sport infrastructure. Through the fund, the following projects in the Wellington Shire were successful:

• $918,555 for the Cameron Main Oval Changeroom Refurbishment - Redevelopment of existing changerooms to include 2 player changerooms with amenities, umpire changerooms, first aid, scorers' box, office, accessible amenities and ramp at Cameron Main Oval in Maffra
• $613,910 for the Sale Tennis Club Hardcourt Redevelopment and LED Lighting Upgrade - Upgrade 4 existing plexipave hardcourts to 3 synthetic grass surface courts and 4 new hotshots and pickleball courts, upgrades to 350 lux LED lighting, with new perimeter fencing and a hit-up wall

The Community Sports Infrastructure 2024 Outcomes Statement highlights the positive impacts of projects through initiatives like the RCSIF.

Building active communities

In the past two years alone more than 330 community sport projects have increased participation by almost 43 per cent or more than 70,200 new participants, including a 19 per cent increase in junior girls playing sport. That's more people of all ages and abilities swimming, playing soccer, netball, volleyball, skateboarding, cycling and more at a range of facilities from skate parks to netball courts, close to home.

Local economies are also winners, with more than 1,170 direct full-time jobs supported in the delivery of more than $538 million worth of community sport and active recreation infrastructure across Victoria. The Victorian Budget 2025/26 is investing $20 million to continue providing new and improved community sports infrastructure through initiatives like the statewide Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, which will be open for applications in the coming months.

Uniting through sport

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said, "These projects will be a game changer for regional communities, giving them modern facilities they can be proud of."

Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh said, "These upgrades are a huge boost for local clubs and volunteers that can continue to grow and share all the amazing benefits of community sport with more and more people."

Sale Tennis Club President Robin Lowe said, "We are absolutely delighted by the announcement of our successful application to the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund. Sporting clubs are the fabric that unite our communities so the major upgrade of another part of our facility is important for the whole community. We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support of Wellington Shire and the state government."

Pictures from Tom McIntosh MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Darren Chester praises TAFE Gippsland and BRHS partnership for training local students to strengthen regional health workforce
  Darren Chester praised TAFE Gippsland and BRHS for training local students, highlighting regional partnerships as key to addressing health workforce shortages and encouraging young people to pursue local health careers.
• Tim Bull encourages Gippsland East communities to apply for Victorian government’s Tiny Towns Fund Grants until 4 February 2026
  Tim Bull urges Gippsland East communities to apply for the Tiny Towns Fund, offering $5,000-$50,000 grants to support tourism, liveability, and local projects for towns under 5,000 residents.
• West Gippsland CMA hosts free sustainable farming workshops with local landcare groups from September 2025 to March 2026
  West Gippsland CMA is hosting free farm field days September - March, showcasing sustainable agriculture, carbon farming, and local expertise. Workshops cover soil health, biodiversity, biofertilizers, and agribusiness opportunities.
• South Gippsland Seniors Festival offers free and low-cost events to connect, create, and celebrate together
  South Gippsland celebrates Victorian Seniors Festival this October with 60+ free and low-cost events across nine towns, inviting over-60s to connect, create, celebrate, and enjoy community through sport, arts, learning, and fun.
• Tim Bull urges Labor government to stop costly brumby culling amid Parks Victoria job and funding cuts
  Tim Bull urges Labor to halt costly brumby culling in East Gippsland, citing job losses, funding cuts, and greater threats from feral pigs, while advocating for more responsible taxpayer spending.
• Bass Coast Christmas Giving Trees set up to support local families in need this festive season
  Bass Coast Shire Council’s Christmas Giving Trees are collecting gifts, gift cards, and food to support local families, with donations accepted at Customer Service Centres until early December.
• Danny O'Brien warns faulty firefighting vehicles are leaving local CFA Brigades under pressure ahead of bushfire season
  Danny O'Brien has criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to repair faulty firefighting vehicles, warning the issue is placing pressure on CFA brigades and reducing Gippsland's preparedness for bushfire season.
• Drouin’s Commercial Place Stage 1 of the $1.1M project set to begin this to boost safety, accessibility and vibrancy
  Stage 1 of the $1.1 million Drouin Commercial Place upgrade begins this week, improving safety, accessibility, footpaths, carparks, and pedestrian areas, with minimal disruption and partial parking available.
• Martin Cameron supports Tee Up for Mental Health Golf Day raising vital funds for Lifeline and Rotary
  More than 150 golfers joined the Tee Up for Mental Health Golf Day in Traralgon, raising a record $30,000 for Lifeline Gippsland and Rotary's local mental health initiatives.
• Danny O'Brien warns Labor is risking beachgoers safety by forcing councils, ratepayers to cover LSV funding shortfalls
  Danny O'Brien warns the Allan Labor government is forcing Gippsland councils and ratepayers to cover Life Saving Victoria shortfalls, risking reduced lifeguard patrols despite billions in new emergency services taxes.
• Darren Chester welcomes Buchan Recreation Reserve redevelopment with pavilion, changerooms, community hub
  Darren Chester welcomed progress on the Buchan Recreation Reserve redevelopment, delivering a new pavilion and modern changerooms, with government funding and volunteers supporting a safer, more vibrant hub for sport and community activities.
• Gippsland Water appoints Sam Muir and Kellie O’Callaghan to the board, bringing experience, diversity and community focus
  Gippsland Water has appointed Sam Muir and Kellie O’Callaghan to its Board, bringing diverse experience, strong community engagement, and fresh perspectives, while outgoing directors Jo Benvenuti and Chris Badger are acknowledged.
• Bass Coast Council launches mid-term review of Climate Change Action Plan, celebrating achievements and inviting community input
  Bass Coast Shire Council is reviewing its Climate Change Action Plan 2020-2030, celebrating renewable energy achievements and inviting community feedback through surveys, pop-up sessions, engagement events, and a special film screening.
• Darren Chester and Martin Cameron launch petition urging action on long-delayed Traralgon Princes Highway bypass project
  Darren Chester and Martin Cameron have launched a community petition urging state and federal governments to prioritise funding and design work for the long-delayed Traralgon Princes Highway bypass to ease congestion.
• Darren Chester met Tom Harms in Canberra, praising his WorldSkills selection as testament to talent and community support
  Maffra apprentice Tom Harms will represent Australia in Electrical Installations at the 2026 WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, after excelling through national trials. Darren Chester praised his achievement as Gippsland talent showcased globally.
• Darren Chester secures $20,000 to preserve Tambo Valley trenches commemorating Victoria's WWII history
  Darren Chester secured $20,000 funding to preserve the historic Tambo Valley Trenches, enhancing access, safety, and interpretation, while honouring East Gippsland's wartime history and boosting cultural tourism along the Great Alpine Road.
• Darren Chester congratulates Infusa Distillery founders for showcasing Gippsland's produce, driving growth in local food and beverage industry
  Darren Chester congratulated Infusa Distillery founders Stu and Jo Taylor for their award-winning spirits, local partnerships, and contribution to Gippsland's food and beverage industry, praising their innovation, growth, and regional pride.
• Princes Highway $2M upgrade improves safety and access for pedestrians at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna
  Nearly $2 million in joint government funding will upgrade Princes Highway at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna, improving pedestrian safety, access, and traffic flow with new medians, lighting, safety platforms, and path reconstruction.