Newtown and Chilwell’s Elderslie Reserve misses out on state government funding

A local sports funding saga that generated significant community concern has taken another twist.

Elderslie Reserve in Newtown regularly hosts women’s football matches. Picture: Mark Wilson.

A project that caused a large rift between City Hall and a local football club has failed to secure state government funding, while an upgrade of Wallington Reserve has been handed $1m.

Bell Park officials were left fuming after councillor Peter Murrihy scuppered a recommendation from city officers at council’s February meeting.

Mr Murrihy, supported by five of his colleagues, passed an alternative motion that put Newtown and Chilwell’s Elderslie Reserve forward for funding under the female facilities stream of the government’s regional community sports infrastructure fund (RCSIF).

Bruce Harwood, Sarah Hathway, Jim Mason, Elise Wilkinson and Melissa Cadwell supported the move to scrap the Hamlyn Park recommendation.

The move was particularly controversial because of Mr Murrihy’s former links with Newtown and the councillors’ failure to explain the reasoning behind their vote.

City Hall convened an urgent meeting in April following community backlash where councillors voted unanimously to seek funding to upgrade Hamlyn Park as part of the federal government’s Play Our Way program.

Geelong councillor Peter Murrihy.

If that application is unsuccessful, council has assured Bell Park of the upgrade having allocated $1.7m in its 2024-25 budget for the project to proceed.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence announced the successful RCSIF recipients on Friday, confirming that Elderslie Reserve had missed out.

Mr Murrihy, who has not yet confirmed whether he will stand at this year’s council elections, said he was disappointed with the outcome.

“It (the funding) was never guaranteed, so I will continue to advocate for future funding opportunities for the project,” he said.

“I was influential in Hamlyn Park receiving funding in the 2024/25 budget, which was a great outcome for them and I believe Elderslie Reserve deserves similar acknowledgment and urgency for their project.”

The only local project successful with its RCSIF application was the redevelopment of the Wallington Reserve pavilion.

The $1m government grant will help fund the $4.25m project that will improve accessibility for patrons.

Council will foot the remainder of the bill.

Ms Spence said the RCSIF was designed to ensure everyone had access to high quality sport and recreation facilities regardless of their location.

Originally published as Newtown and Chilwell’s Elderslie Reserve misses out on state government funding