Hanwood Sports Ground In Line For Redevelopment

Griffith City Council has committed to searching out $500,000 from the budget in order to apply for $1 million in funding through Round 2 of the NSW Government’s Multi Sports Community Facilities Fund to redevelop Hanwood Sports Ground.

Councillor Glen Andreazza moved that Council look into applying for the grant which requires Council to contribute $500,000 to the project, an amount not currently included in Council’s Long Term Financial Plan.

Councillor Andreazza said that it was important to address the sub-standard state of the Hanwood Sports Ground despite the co-contribution not being budgeted for.

“Members of the Hanwood Football Club attended the most recent Community Opinion Group and informed Councillors and staff of the poor amenities at the Oval,” Councillor Andreazza said.

“An application for funding was submitted in 2021 under the NSW Government’s Regional Sports Facilities Fund, however, this application was unsuccessful and I feel now is the time to act and take advantage of the possible funding available to bring the facilities to the standard expected by user groups.

“I put forward the motion so that staff can provide us with options to fund the co-contribution should the application be successful, and I believe that there is a need within the community to direct funds toward the upgrade which will benefit our sporting community and complement the upgrades of other sporting facilities across our LGA over the last two years.”

The current round of the Multi Sports Community Facilities Fun closes on September 1, with successful applications notified by the end of the current calendar year.

“I look forward to seeing the report and reviewing our options moving forward for redeveloping the Hanwood Sports Ground and thank my fellow Councillors for their support,” Councillor Andreazza said.

Hanwood resident, Councillor Dino Zappacosta further moved that Council commit to the upgrade and consider the proposed plans presented to Council at the Community Opinion Group Meeting held last month and that the scope of any works to be carried out be similar to the newly constructed amenities block at Jubilee Oval.

A report will be presented to the Councillors on Tuesday, August 9 outlining possible options for Council to fund the co-contribution.

• Topics:

• Grants / Funding
• Local Council