Nationals Member for Rodney, Paul Weller, has announced major funding for the Rochester Recreation Reserve at the Water to Wickets cricket event in Rochester last Sunday, February 19th.
Along with Nationals Member for Northern Victoria, Damian Drum, Mr Weller announced funds to the tune of $97, 554.60 for major works to repair the football club change rooms - extensively damaged in January 2011’s devastating floods.
The funds have been granted through the Victorian Government’s $30 million Flood Recovery for Community Infrastructure Fund.
Mr Weller said the funding will go a long way towards helping the people of Rochester get back on its feet after the devastating flood event in 2011.
“There was significant damage to the Rochester Recreation Reserve, and throughout 80 per cent of the town, and these funds will kick-start the major refurbishment works planned for the site,” Mr Weller said.
“To date more than $51,000 has been awarded to the Rochester Recreation Reserve Committee of Management to help clean up and repair damaged fencing however this additional funding will allow the committee to repair the football club rooms, bringing them back to the appropriate standard for our local teams and visitors,” he said.
“Recreation facilities are vital to the community’s physical and social well-being and all user groups at this site are integral in keeping community sport and recreation alive and well in Rochester,” Mr Weller said.
“The Water to Wickets Twenty20 match was the perfect platform to announce the funding,” said Mr Weller.
According to Campaspe Shire Flood Recovery Officer and Water to Wickets committee member, Jordan Tamblyn, “Rochester is set to boast one of the best recreation reserve facilities in the state on completion of the works thanks to this much needed funding”.
Mr Tamblyn said there had been many individuals and groups involved with the funding including the Rochester Recreation Reserve Committee, the Flood Recovery Committee, Rochester Chamber of Commerce, the Major Events Committee and the Campaspe Shire.
Rochester Recreation Reserve Committee member, Allan Darbyshire has been heavily involved in the grant application process with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and has praised the announcement for what is “sorely needed” funding.
“We are very thrilled with the announcement of the funding which we have been working on for 12 months now and we are very grateful,” Mr Darbyshire said.
Mr Darbyshire and the Recreation Reserve Committee had been working closely in negotiating the funding with the DSE and were thankful for its help and support, along with the hard work and determination to secure the funding from Mr Tamblyn.
According to Mr Darbyshire, works have already begun at the Recreation Reserve to have everything up and running in time for the start of the football season.
Mr Weller congratulated the organisers of the Water to Wickets cricket event and said he looked forward to future community events at the Recreation Reserve.
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