Churchill Reserve, Benalla Showgrounds, the United Friendlies Recreation Reserve and Benalla Gardens Reserve will share in the funding, which is part of round two of the Victorian Government’s Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.
The four Benalla sites are among dozens of regional sport clubs and reserves across Victoria being funded for better facilities — boosting participation, local communities and jobs.
State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced the funding for Benalla, which will go towards the creation of master plans for the four reserves, as well as six other projects across north-east Victoria.
“These upgrades are a huge boost for the community, giving local clubs the world-class facilities they deserve to increase participation and continue playing the sports they love,” Ms Symes said.
Across regional Victoria, 67 infrastructure projects and eight participation initiatives have been supported by the fund as part of the more than $2.4 billion invested by the government in community sport infrastructure.
The Community Sports Infrastructure 2024 Outcomes Statement highlights the positive impacts of projects through initiatives such as the RCSIF.
In the past two years alone more than 330 community sport projects have increased participation by almost 43 per cent or more than 70,200 new participants, including a 19 per cent increase in junior girls playing sport.
That’s more people of all ages and abilities swimming, playing soccer, netball, volleyball, skateboarding, cycling and more at a range of facilities from skate parks to netball courts, close to home.
Local economies are also winners, with more than 1170 direct full-time jobs supported in the delivery of more than $538 million worth of community sport and active recreation infrastructure across Victoria.
The Victorian Budget 2025/26 is investing $20 million to continue providing new and improved community sports infrastructure through initiatives like the statewide Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, which will be open for applications in the coming months.
For more information about the fund and successful projects, visit sport.vic.gov.au
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