Stronger Country Communities funding goes to Yass

A sum of $450,000 will go towards upgrading the lighting at Walker Park, while $200,000 will provide lighting at Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds.

Another $178,129 will fund the resurfacing of the bottom half of the Joe O’Connor Park netball courts.

The money has come from the state government’s Stronger Country Communities fund.

“[This] is a once-in-a-generation investment and I’m excited for the people of the Yass Valley to start seeing these projects pop-up all over the place,” Member for Goulburn Pru Goward said.

Yass Valley Council will need to put the projects over $200,000 out to tender and doesn’t expect any of the work to begin until next year, a spokesperson said.

Once complete, however, they should help a number of sporting groups.

Yass Netball Association president Sue Jephcott said she was really excited to see the safety of the courts improved.

“Part of our focus for the future is to hold netball carnivals in Yass and this gets us one step closer to that,” she said.

The surfaces will allow netball to be played on the courts in all weather.

The council was behind applying for the funding and identifying where it should be spent.

Mayor Rowena Abbey welcomed the extra financial support.

“Thank you to the state government and especially our local member...for this funding commitment.”

“Sport and physical activity play a very important role in rural communities, ensuring an outlet for well-being and health and these facility improvements will be welcomed at a time when rural communities are doing it tough,” she said.