Council has committed a funding co-contribution of $200,000
towards the development of new female
friendly change rooms at Hamlyn Park.
The funding pledge is part of Council’s application
for a $1.5 million grant from the Australian Government's 2024-25 Play Our Way
program under the Facilities stream.
The grants program aims to promote
equitable access and build more suitable facilities that engage women and girls
in sport and physical activity throughout their lives.
Following consultation and reviews of
Council strategies, masterplans and priority projects, the City’s assessment
found the $1.7 million project meets the criteria. Applications
close on Monday
29 April.
Mayor
Trent Sullivan
Council is thrilled to back this worthy project through an
application to Play Our Way.
We’ve heard loud and clear that the
Bell Park Dragons are in need of better female friendly change rooms for the
growing club.
We
are committing to a co-contribution of $200,000 and
hope to secure the remaining $1.5 million that’s needed from the
Australian Government's Play Our Way program.
New
changerooms will make a big difference to the club and provide a morale boost.
Councillor
Eddy Kontelj, chair of the Active Spaces portfolio
It is important to
make sure sporting facilities were accessible to females of all ages.
Bell
Park is a proud and passionate working-class club, and they have been patient
in waiting for this much-needed infrastructure.
There
are no gender-neutral amenities at Hamlyn Park for the hundreds of female
athletes across football, netball, all-abilities and cricket, which has to be
rectified.
We
know that sport improves self-esteem, fitness and mental health outcomes for
women and girls, which makes this a priority sporting and community project.
I
am grateful to my fellow Councillors for voting in favour of applying to the
federal government for this grant.
Council’s $200,000 funding commitment for
Hamlyn Park Reserve is contingent on a successful grant application.
The
Play Our Way program also has a Participation and Equipment stream which
supports grassroots initiatives for women and girls.
Local
clubs are eligible to apply for the Play Our Way grant and can request a letter
of support from the City to assist their application.