Federal funds to support services for body and soul 

TWO Melton projects will receive a large funding boost from the federal government.

Almost $1 million will be shared by Combined Churches Caring Melton and a proposed Caroline Springs regional tennis facility under the government’s Regional Development Australia Fund. Melton council voted on the funding allocation at a meeting last week.

A total of $200,000 will go to emergency food and referral centre Combined Churches to help the organisation relocate from a council-owned property that is to be redeveloped. The new tennis centre will receive $739,118.

Cr Bob Turner said the money would support two important local projects. ‘‘Combined Churches do great work in the community and it’ll be a good to see a regional tennis facility started at Caroline Springs.’’

Council’s general manager of planning and development, Luke Shannon, said the overall cost of the tennis centre, which would include 12 courts,  was estimated at $4 million.

He said the project would be completed in 2015-16.