Junction Oval gets $6m development funding pledge from Morrison government

Junction Oval would get a $6m redevelopment boost to make it the rent-free home of FightMND under a Josh Frydenberg pledge.

A render of what the new Kevin Murray stand at Junction Oval would look like.

The home of Victorian cricket would also become the official headquarters for FightMND under a Coalition election pledge.

The second stage of the Junction Oval redevelopment will be boosted with a $6m funding promise from an elected Morrison government.

The project, which includes the FightMND home base, will also include the refurbishment of the Kevin Murray grandstand.

The grandstand will include office space for the FightMND foundation for at least the next 10 years rent-free.

It is where FightMND co-founder and patron Neale Daniher had his office when he coached the Melbourne Football Club.

FightMND chief executive Dr Fiona McIntosh said the organisation was committed to working with both levels of government to ensure all funds raised through the Big Freeze makes a positive impact for people living with the disease.

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg with Australian cricketers Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry at the Junction Oval. Picture: Ian Currie

“We are so excited to be a partner of Cricket Victoria in the redevelopment of Junction Oval which includes a permanent base for FightMND,” Dr McIntosh said.

“The redevelopment of Junction Oval, which also served as a base for Neale during his tenure at Melbourne, means that FightMND can remain lean so that we can focus our efforts on fighting the Beast until an effective treatment or cure is found.”

New broadcast quality lights around the ground will also be built, while the Junction Oval heritage listed scoreboard will be restored.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the investment will secure Junction Oval as the home of women’s cricket for years to come.

“New lights will enable Women’s Big Bash League and international women’s cricket to be played in a stadium environment at night,” Mr Frydenberg said.

“Playing under lights during prime time will help to inspire the next generation of female players.”

Cricket Victoria chief executive Nick Cummins said it was “a wonderful commitment for the future of Victorian cricket’’.

“This commitment brings together our aspiration of state of the art facilities and the promise of a wonderful asset for the bayside community,’’ he said.

Originally published as Junction Oval gets $6m development funding pledge from Morrison government