State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes was in Benalla on Tuesday, May 23, to announce funding for the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre and Tomorrow today as part of the Victorian budget.
Ms Symes began the day at BIRC where she announced funding to upgrade the facility.
“We’ll invest up to $15 million at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre towards a better stadium, new amenities, and female friendly change rooms, giving locals more opportunities to come together while supporting the next generation of sporting greats,” Ms Symes said.
Benalla Mayor Bernie Hearn said council has been campaigning for funding for the BIRC for about 20 years.
“With this $15 million and the design we are working on I believe this will make Benalla one of the biggest sporting areas in the north east,” Cr Hearn said.
“The new stadium itself will cover basketball, badminton, lifeball, squash, futsal and netball.
“But we also have a top equestrian centre right next to our racecourse.
“We have two great football clubs in town. We have good cricket facilities and our tennis courts are amazing.
“People will be able to come here for just about any sport.”
Later in the day Ms Symes visited Tomorrow Today to announce that funding would continue for its Education Benalla Program.
This successful place-based initiative, which works to overcome local barriers to educational success, relies on state funding.
Tomorrow Today executive officer Rosie Koop said she was grateful for the funding.
“It enables us to continue our work, bringing the community together to ensure all our children and young people can achieve their potential in school, work and life,” Ms Koop said.
“It was so wonderful to have Attorney General Jaclyn Symes visit us here this morning to deliver the news in person to our team, and the parents and children gathered together for PEEP, our parenting program. We are all thrilled.”
The Victorian budget also includes funding for several other local sporting clubs and organisations including:
- $250,000 towards the Winton Motorcycle Club track upgrade; and
- $60,000 to support the Wangaratta North East Bushrangers.
Ms Symes said with this Budget the government was getting on with delivering every election commitment it made at the last election.
“With targeted investment in schools, mental health, aged care, emergency services, recreation and sporting facilities, and community groups — we’re doing what matters for regional Victorians,” Ms symes said
“With this Budget, we’re delivering on every election promise we made to the people of Northern Victoria — and we’ll keep standing with flood-affected communities across our regions.”