WIMMERA people can now play sport on Murtoa’s football oval day and night.
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Former state Minister for Sport and Recreation, Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty, switched on new lights at Murtoa Showyards Reserve on Tuesday.
Minyip-Murtoa Football and Netball Club members joined him to launch the $173,280 project, which included four new light poles and upgrading the oval’s switchboard and power supply.
The State Government contributed $80,000 towards the project.
Minyip-Murtoa Football and Netball Club provided $23,000, while Yarriambiack Shire Council contributed $20,000. The community raised $33,000 for the project and provided in-kind contributions worth $17,280.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Delahunty announced a $30,000 grant for the Wimmera Development Association.
Association executive director Jo Bourke said the money would be spent on implementing the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Strategic Plan, which outlined priorities for the region’s development.
Wimmera and southern Mallee municipalities include Buloke, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack.
“This is the tool we use to make sure we’re all on the same page,” Mrs Bourke said.
Workforce development, NBN and mobile coverage, agricultural research, housing availability and international exports were among the top priorities listed for 2013-14.
Work on some of the issues is continuing, such as mobile coverage black spots.
Mrs Bourke said Wimmera Development Association made submissions to the state and federal governments about the export of agricultural goods and services as recently as two weeks ago.
The Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Strategic Plan was first published in 2010.
Mrs Bourke said it had been integral to the success of major projects such as the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal.
Wimmera Development Association has also contributed $30,000 towards the plan.