Melton council is urging the federal government to provide $4.4 million for a new sports precinct in Atherstone as part of this year’s budget.
The request was included in a submission to the National Growth Areas Alliance.
The alliance, which represents 25 of Australia’s fastest-growing municipalities, wants the government to help fund five projects in Victoria and 12 across Australia.
The $10.3 million Bridge Road Sports Precinct would include sports fields, tennis courts, athletics track, pavilions and car parking, providing much-needed facilities in the booming housing estate.
Developers predict Atherstone will be home to 14,000 people by 2025.
Council community services general manager Maurie Heaney said the alliance backing gave it a good opportunity to secure federal support.
“[The project] provides a number of initiatives for this site, which will see construction of an early-years community centre, a regional athletics track, two hockey tracks, sports ovals and traffic education school, together with associated landscaping, parkland and road works,’’ he said.
“Ideally, we will have a state education school next door to the council initiatives.”
The council will contribute $5.3 million to the project.
“The council … will be commencing the construction of an early-years community centre that will be completed by first term 2015,’’ Mr Heaney said.
“We are currently in the design stage for a little athletics track and associated facilities.
“One of council’s priorities is to deliver the early-years centre and the athletics track and facilities … this is listed in council’s five-year capital works program.”
The alliance submission also urges the government to find new approaches to infrastructure funding.
