By Sumeyya Ilanbey
More Moorabool sports clubs will be able to train longer into the night thanks to a state and local government partnership.
Treasurer Tim Pallas visited Ballan last week to announce Moorabool council was successful in its application to borrow $1.6 million through the Community Sports Infrastructure Loans Scheme.
The scheme allows councils to borrow money at the reduced interest rate of
1.65 per cent, to be paid over 10 years.
The money will be used to install competition-standard lighting on ovals at Ballan, Gordon, Wallace, Bungaree and Dunnstown recreation reserves.
Moorabool mayor Paul Tatchell said the lighting would make a huge difference.
“Clubs from Ballan to Ballarat all punch above their weight with substandard facilities … and still get the job done,” Cr Tatchell said.
“These are the sorts of incentives the clubs need so the clubs can continue fighting the good fight.
“The extra lighting … will open up capacity and give football teams the same opportunities they have in Ballarat,” Cr Tatchell said.
Mr Pallas described it “as good a deal as you can get anywhere”.
“Poor lighting at these venues compromises the ability of evening training, so the project will enable much greater participation,” he said.
“Better lighting, more hours and hopefully better community wellbeing.”
