Express MIDLAND
www.midlandexpress.com.au
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
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Students at Castlemaine's St Mary's Primary School, Quinn, Jufuor and Alyssa, check out some of the 50 pre-1930s vintage cars that rolled in for a visit late last week as part of the Golden Oldie tour. Photo: Eve Lamb. Full story, page 6.
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Sporting clubs are crying out for federal funding to complete the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct as local facilities overflow. Macedon Ranges Shire Council seeks $21 million for stage two of the project that’s been years in demand. While there was no mention of the sports precinct in the Federal Budget handed down last week, there is still hope for campaign commitments from both major parties. Community campaigner Tamara Collins said lobbying had engaged current MPs and federal election candidates but the community now wanted action. “We have been given a sympathetic ear, however, after almost six years of campaigning, photo opportunities and positive noise, we actually need our federal candidates to make guaranteed election commitments to fund this project,” she said.
Ms Collins said local sporting competitions had no way of growing and current ovals were at capacity. “The current stage one plan does not include change rooms, which dramatically changes what competitions can be played at the sports hub," she said. "The exclusion of one footy oval means the development of footy and cricket competitions cannot happen, which impacts female footy in particular ... where do these teams train, how do clubs hold home games all together? “Infrastructure in our region is not keeping up with development…and the cost of the project continues to rise every year nothing is done." User groups have reported modifying or reducing their programs with inability to access facilities at the frequency and duration required. Residents have also been forced to travel to other
regions for competitive sports to suit their age group or standard. Council's director of assets and operations, Shane Walden, said population growth and increased popularity of winter sports such as AFL and soccer had contributed to the demand. “These issues have been known since planning began for the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct. However, they have become more prominent in recent years,” he told the Express. “Council-managed stadium facilities are at, or nearing, capacity for competition purposes. “The existing twin-court stadium in Gisborne, built in 2015, hit peak period capacity within two years of being built.” Continued page 4.
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