By Victoria Stone-Meadows
RESIDENTS of Cranbourne East received a community infrastructure boost with the announcement of $2.38 million to upgrade the Hunt Club housing estate sports grounds.
This funding from the State Government together with $2 million contribution from the developer and $50,000 from the City of Casey will help fund the $4.4 million complex.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera made the announcement on Monday 21 November along with Casey city councillors Amanda Stapledon and Steve Beardon.
The funding comes as part of the State Government’s growing suburbs fund, formerly interface funding, that provides growing suburbs with means to create and maintain community infrastructure.
The funding for the Hunt Club sporting precinct in Cranbourne East will include assists such as a pavilion with community space, unisex and accessible amenities, playspace, carpark, landscaping and a floodlit AFL/cricket oval with synthetic pitch.
“This is another great project for our community and another example of the way the Andrews Labor Government is putting people first,” Mr Perera said.
The City of Casey received the funding, and will be the body overseeing construction of the new community space.
Casey City councillor Amanda Stapledon was present for the announcement and officially represented the mayor.
“We were thrilled with the announcement and this comes on the back of us not being able to fund it last financial year due to rate capping and us applying for the funding through the department,” she said.
“I think it’s a fabulous outcome, and this is the most important thing for the community to give them the facility to develop sport for their families.
“However, we are screaming for more sport facilities, as the ones we have can’t accommodate demand and they are so important to all the community.”
Cr Steve Beardon said while he was happy to have this project funded, the council had a lot more work to do to match community infrastructure to the growing population.
“I’m really happy for everyone in the Hunt Club area,” he said.
“I’d like to say we could take it easy from here, but we have more to deliver and to make sure it happens as soon as it can.”
