The Latrobe Valley Sports and Community Initiative is an $85 million investment from the Victorian Government to upgrade key local infrastructure and attract major sporting events and programs to the region.
The project aims to build local capacity, reduce disadvantage and barriers to participation, improve health and social outcomes for the area, boost the visitor economy and foster regional pride through major events.
The initiative seeks to build on the region’s existing strength in the sporting field to drive continued growth and develop new links with elite clubs and competitions.
Latrobe City Council and Latrobe Valley Authority are working closely to deliver the program.
Infrastructure
A commitment of $73.1 million has been given to upgrade sports infrastructure and build new facilities across the region, with Latrobe City Council taking the lead on project delivery and capital works.
New and upgraded sporting facilities will increase the Latrobe Valley’s capacity to attract and host major events and community programs and improve amenity for local users.
The projects will create about 300 jobs in construction and 275 ongoing operational and support roles, providing beneficial flow on effects for the area.
Seven major sporting infrastructure projects have been allocated funding, they are:
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Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre
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Traralgon Sports Stadium
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Morwell Recreation Reserve
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Latrobe City Sports and Entertainment Complex, Morwell
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Ted Summerton Reserve, Moe
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Sale Tennis Centre
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Traralgon Tennis Centre
For an update on some of these projects view Latrobe City Council’s latest Major Recreation Projects Newsletter 8 via the link
Previous editions:
Major Recreation Projects Newsletter 7 (PDF, 19MB)
Major Recreation Projects Newsletter 5 (PDF, 16MB)
Major Recreation Projects Newsletter 4 (PDF, 884KB).
Major Recreation Projects Newsletter 3 (PDF, 10MB).
Major Recreation Projects Newsletter 2 (PDF, 7MB)
Major Recreation Projects Newsletter 1 (PDF, 4MB)
There is also $5 million allocated to upgrade nine other local sporting reserves across Latrobe City, Baw Baw and Wellington Shires, they are:
- Traralgon Recreation Reserve
Reconstruction of netball courts, complete with a lighting upgrade, renovations to change rooms and toilet amenities and improved safety measures for roller derby. - Glengarry Recreation Reserve
New indoor and outdoor cricket facilities as well as change rooms for women and umpires - Ronald Reserve, Morwell East
Repairs to existing tennis fencing and new change rooms, catering to a growing female participation base. - Cowwarr Recreation Reserve
Installation of unisex home and away change rooms, trainers’ rooms, umpires’ change rooms, as well as male, female and family friendly amenities. - Gormandale Recreation Reserve
Lighting upgrades for football and netball. - Heyfield Recreation Reserve
Installation of cricket training nets including three new bays with retractable nets, resurfacing of existing netball court and development of second court and upgrade to lighting on main oval. - Monash Reserve, Newborough
Lighting will be upgraded to enable increased participation. - Maryvale Reserve, Morwell
Installation of four lanes of retractable cricket training nets and female change facilities and upgrades to the umpires’ rooms. - Willow Grove Recreation Reserve
Construction of multipurpose female friendly match day facilities for netball, tennis and umpires.
Sporting alliance and major events
The Victorian Government has partnered with Collingwood Football Club (CFC) and an alliance of major sporting organisations to jointly invest in a series of events and community programs in the Latrobe Valley with the aim of improving employment, health, and social outcomes.
LVA has committed $6.9 million over five years to deliver an extensive annual calendar of sporting events in conjunction with the alliance, bringing major games, sporting carnivals, community camps and more to the region.
Already the package has attracted high-profile events including the NBL Blitz, Melbourne Victory W-League friendly and the upcoming Melbourne Stars versus Hobart Hurricanes twenty20 cricket exhibition.
Participation Initiative Grants
This grant encourages the delivery innovative community projects that increase and sustain inclusive participation in sport and active recreation in the Latrobe Valley.
Grants of up to $75,000 will be made available to deliver new and innovative programs that increase participation in organised and informal sport and active recreation, particularly amongst people that are currently underrepresented.
Sport and Active Recreation Strategic Planning Grants
This grants program aims to strengthen and build robust, resilient, sustainable and inclusive sport and recreation organisations in the Latrobe Valley region.