Tuesday, 13 August 2024

Shorten Reserve, West Footscray

Katie HALL (Footscray) (19:17): (768) The action I seek is for the Minister for Community Sport to join me with local teams at Shorten Reserve in West Footscray to provide an update on the Shorten Reserve redevelopment project. The ground is home to the West Footscray Roosters – I believe the member for Melton’s first team – the Druids and the mighty Bokkers sports clubs, as well as Scouts and other community groups based out of the adjacent RecWest facility. Shorten Reserve, an important facility in our community, desperately needs remediation. Because it sits on an old quarry site, the oval is really flat and it is often waterlogged. Prior to the last election I worked with the club to secure an election commitment of $10 million to go towards to the City of Maribyrnong’s RecWest and Shorten Reserve master plan. That funding was allocated in full in last year’s budget. Residents are eager for the works, which are to be delivered by the City of Maribyrnong, to get underway because they recognise that they are desperately needed, and this was another tough winter for those sporting clubs.

The beautiful community that lives around Shorten Reserve brings neighbours and families together. It helps strengthen the bonds of our community, and it uplifts and upholds the values that make Melbourne’s inner west great. Providing our sporting clubs with the best facilities possible is not just about local pride or premierships; it is about creating spaces where people feel welcome, where people can create a sense of purpose and where they can come together to celebrate victories or commiserate defeats in life and on the oval. I look forward to bringing the minister down to meet with the club in eager anticipation of the City of Maribyrnong commencing works.