Thursday, 30 May 2024

 Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Racing) (09:49): The football and cricket are back bigger than ever at Heidelberg’s Olympic Park thanks to the completion of the new fields at the popular community sports venue, an $18.5 million redevelopment. I was pleased to join National Premier League stalwarts Heidelberg United to officially open the new fields on the south and north ovals. The latest addition to the park’s recent rejuvenation is backed by an $8 million Allan government investment. The delivery is in four stages. The park’s ongoing works provide a home for all things sport and recreation in West Heidelberg, and I want to thank the Minister for Community Sport and the former Minister for Sport the Honourable John Eren for their contributions and leadership in this project – very significant.

These latest additions to the precinct include two new football pitches on the south oval to complement the cricket oval. The north oval also features a football pitch within the oval which can be used for other cricket games. The new fields will provide a great new training and competition venue for the over 450 players of the Heidelberg United Football Club and more than 120 cricketers at the mighty Olympic Colts Cricket Club. The new fields complement the recently completed synthetic MiniRoos pitch with lighting and upgrades to Heidelberg United’s main competition pitch. The project has also delivered cricket practice nets, an acrylic basketball and futsal area and the refurbishment of the Aboriginal gathering place Barrbunin Beek. A new sports pavilion is also on the way and expected to be completed in late 2026.

I would like to thank Banyule City Council for their $10.5 million investment on top of that $8 million from the Allan Labor government. With Tom Melican it was great to open those facilities. President Steve Tsalikidis, you are a legend.