Davis Park plea in parliament

Issues surrounding deteriorating community facilities at Nhill’s Davis Park have found their way to State Parliament.

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy tabled a petition calling for State Government help in parliament last week.

The petition calls on the government to immediately provide redevelopment money for park infrastructure.

Ms Kealy said the petition to upgrade facilities at Nhill’s Davis Park demonstrated overwhelming community support.

“They feel neglected by Premier Daniel Andrews’ Labor government,” she said.

Ms Kealy said after the closure of the grandstand pavilion to the public earlier this year, primary user group Nhill and District Sporting Club had been working with Hindmarsh Shire Council to address structural risks and issues.

“They are hoping to reopen the pavilion by the end of the year,” she said.

Nhill and District Sporting Club oversees the operation of various Nhill district sports including football, netball, hockey, cricket and soccer.

It has almost 600 members based in one centre and its operational structure also has broad recognition as one of the best examples of efficient collective regional collaboration in the region.

Ms Kealy said during an inspection of facilities at Davis Park with club president Brett Wheaton, it was also obvious the clubrooms had aged significantly and were in urgent need of refurbishment.

“This has to happen to support the large and diverse number of members who use them every day,” she said.

“The clubrooms have served the community well over the years and it is exciting to hear about the great ideas Nhill and District Sporting Club has about how they can be improved.

“Local sporting clubs are critical to the social fabric of our rural communities and are crying out for State Government support to help with the upgrade of facilities.

“Nhill, apart from its critical economic significance, is an important social and cultural centre for the west Wimmera and needs State Government recognition.”

Ms Kealy said she believed country sporting clubs were missing out ‘badly’ under the direction of the Labor government, reaffirming a broad Coalition view and platform that Premier Daniel Andrews was a ‘premier for Melbourne’.

“For example, Mr Andrews believes the AFL deserves money over grassroots country projects such as what’s needed at Nhill’s Davis Park,” she said.

“I am calling on the government to immediately provide the funding necessary to redevelop facilities at Davis Park to ensure they continue to meet the needs of the club and local community into the future.”