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Community facilities Sport and Recreation | March 12, 2020

Three important Horsham projects ticked off

The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy MP has congratulated the Horsham community on its work to bring three vital sporting projects to fruition.

Tomorrow marks the official opening of Horsham Aquatic Centre’s outdoor pool renewal project, Dudley Cornell Park’s female-friendly change rooms, and Sunnyside Bowling Club’s two new synthetic greens.

Ms Kealy said strong advocacy and support from Horsham Rural City Council, user groups, volunteers and the wider community had secured the funding required to complete these much-needed projects.

“The amount of work that goes into preparing plans, costings and funding applications for these sorts of developments – let alone then completing the projects – is huge, and I congratulate everyone involved for the many hours of work they have put in,” she said.

“Local people understand the vital role sport and recreation plays in our region. It is the thread that binds many of our communities, fostering social connectedness and enjoyment while also providing a range of health benefits.

“These three projects will help ensure local people can continue to participate and feel supported in their sporting and recreational endeavours, and enjoy these activities in appropriate, accessible facilities.”

Ms Kealy said she hoped local people would use the opportunity of the rare visit of a Labor MP to country Victoria to advocate to the Andrews Labor Government for the many other important projects in the region that required funding.

“It is wonderful to see these three crucial projects completed, but it is really a drop in the ocean given the number of great projects in our region that have been completely overlooked by the Andrews Labor Government,” she said.

“Whether it’s community facilities, our roads, schools, hospitals or reversing Labor’s decision to scrap our only passenger rail service – The Overland, we miss out when Labor is in government, which has been the case for 17 of the past 21 years.

“All we ever ask is for our fair share, and the Andrews Labor Government must ensure it consistently invests in our communities so that all Victorians, including those who live far from Melbourne, have the facilities and opportunities they deserve.”