State Government funding to shine new light on Great Western Oval
Published on 27 August 2021
Lighting improvement works are set to commence this spring at Great Western Oval thanks to a $150,000 grant received from the Victorian State Government Local Sports Infrastructure Fund. Northern Grampians Shire Council will also contribute towards the project and is currently seeking tenders from suitably qualified contractors to deliver the lighting.
The oval is part of the Great Western Public Park & Gardens Reserve off Brunel Street, Great Western and is used primarily by local football, netball and cricket teams and the Great Western Primary School.
Consultants engaged to produce Council’s Great Western Redevelopment Master Plan 2018-28 had highlighted the inadequate oval lighting in their assessment and recommended an upgrade. In a council-led survey, members of the Great Western Football Netball Club (GWFNC) also expressed their dissatisfaction deeming the oval unsafe and not fit for purpose.
Seventy lux lighting will be installed at the ground surpassing AFL facilities guidelines minimum standards of 50 lux for training purposes. The current lighting does not cover the eastern side of the oval and the new lights will immediately improve the night-time training capabilities for the GWFNC and other users of the oval.
Council is also advocating for a clubroom upgrade at Great Western Oval and will be submitting applications in the next round of government funding.
Mayor Cr Murray Emerson said this is a great outcome for the sporting community at Great Western.
“We are very grateful for the funding provided by Sport and Recreation Victoria which has helped us address a major impediment to training and night-time participation for the Great Western Football and Netball Club.
“This is an exciting time for Great Western Lions; new club lights will make a world of difference to their next season of football.”
“Hopefully we can also attract some interest from government funding bodies for the club during the 2022-23 funding rounds and see a new clubroom on the horizon for them too.”
The lighting tender process will close on 15 September 2021. Tender details can be found at www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Tenders
Information on the lighting upgrade is available at www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/GWOvalLighting