AFL Community Relief Fund grant to help rebuild five Hills football ovals after bushfires
Footy ovals damaged during the Cudlee Creek fire will benefit from a $210,250 recovery grant to help repair and rebuild grounds.
Adelaide Hills
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Football ovals in five fire-ravaged Hills towns will be given a new lease on life.
Adelaide Hills Council has received a $210,250 AFL Community Relief Fund grant to repair and rebuild ovals in Balhannah, Gumeracha, Lobethal, Mount Torrens and Woodside.
Each site was damaged during the December bushfires which destroyed 86 homes, 500 outbuildings, and hundreds of vehicles, livestock, pets and crops.
The ovals served as last-resort refuges for locals and temporary bases for emergency services.
Mayor Jan-Claire Wisdom said the ovals were important community assets because they brought families and friends together, particularly during the football and cricket seasons.
“The impact on our ovals demonstrates the widespread and ongoing effect that the Cudlee Creek bushfires have had and continue to have on our community,” Dr Wisdom said.
“Each of the ovals experienced some level of damage.”
Following assessments after the fires, the council worked with each of the clubs to determine what was required to repair the grounds and offer safe conditions for all users.
Dr Wisdom said remediation works would be carried out over the next 12 months to ensure playing surfaces were ready for the recommencement of the football season once COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
“Securing this funding is a fantastic outcome for the Hills region and the result of a great partnership and collaboration with a range of organisations to develop the applications,” she said.
The Community Relief Fund was established by the AFL to support local communities in fire- affected areas to repair and rebuild their clubs.
SANFL chief executive officer Jake Parkinson said sport was the lifeblood of regional communities.
“So ensuring we have the facilities to support it is crucial,” Mr Parkinson said.
“I’m thrilled we have been able to assist in facilitating this urgently-needed funding which will enhance football participation in the Adelaide Hills and help retain valuable volunteers, providing a healthy and vital connection for these communities.”
A further round of applications from community football clubs will be assessed in August.
Any Hills clubs seeking support through this fund are encouraged to contact the council to discuss their application.