Ryan reveals funding
What a view: at the Corner Inlet Lookout Development Project were Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan, Foster Community Association president Larry Giddy and South Gippsland Shire Council mayor Cr Warren Raabe.
SOUTH Gippsland will receive over $160,000 of flood recovery funding from the State Government to go towards repairs throughout the shire.
Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan MP visited Fish Creek, Foster and Corner Inlet last Friday to make a number of announcements.
His first port of call was the Fish Creek Recreation Reserve, where he announced flood recovery funding of $60,000 to support the repair of damaged tennis and netball courts.
The grant will be added to South Gippsland Shire Council’s contribution of $40,000 and another $20,000 raised by the community.
“When those floods went through in March last year, the government was looking at what we could do to help and in May we established a community grant fund of $40 million,” Mr Ryan said.
“Now Warren, you can’t have it all, I just want to make that clear,” Mr Ryan then joked to council mayor Cr Warren Raabe, who also attended the announcement.
“But we’re going to provide an extra $60,000 to bring the total up to $120,000 to enable the work to be done here at the rec reserve.”
Fish Creek Tennis Club president Robin Smith said the floods were devastating for members of sporting clubs and the wider community, and thanked all who supported the cause.
“On behalf of the Terrill Park committee and the many users of this facility, I’d like to assure the minister and the mayor this contribution to the fabric of our community is appreciated and it will be well used,” he said.
Mr Ryan also announced a further $80,000 funding for repairs to Mossvale Park and another $23,000 reimbursement to Poowong Recreation Reserve for work already done to repair damage from heavy rain.
“I am very pleased that funding is now available to support the South Gippsland Shire Council as it continues to carry out repairs across the region,” Mr Ryan said.
It was then onto Foster and Corner Inlet for the minister to officially open two redevelopment projects.
Mr Ryan said the $220,000 refurbishment of the Foster War Memorial Arts Centre, of which the government contributed $165,000, would ensure it served the needs of the community for many years to come.
“The Foster War Memorial Arts Centre is a popular meeting point for local community groups,” he said.
“It now boasts significantly improved kitchen facilities, upgraded interiors and heating and air-conditioning.”
At Foster North, My Ryan also celebrated the completion of the $84,000 Corner Inlet Lookout Development project.
“The improvements, which included the construction of a viewing platform, rotunda, seating, information bay and landscaping, will help showcase and promote the beauty and diversity of the Corner Inlet region,” he said.
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