Nationals commitment

The Nationals have backed up calls for government investment into Nhill’s Davis Park by promising a $600,000 ‘modernisation’ windfall for the reserve if the Coalition wins government in November.

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy used a Wimmera football and netball fixture at Davis Park on Saturday to make the announcement.

She told guests at a gathering during the game that with a change of government, funding would be forthcoming for new change rooms and toilets.

Ms Kealy has strongly advocated for the State Government to step in and provide money since deterioration forced Hindmarsh Shire Council to close a community grandstand pavilion for public use.

“The buildings at Davis Park are significantly aged and in urgent need of refurbishment to support the large number of members who use the facilities every day,” she said.

“This refurbishment would breathe new life into this multi-use community asset so it can continue to be a meeting place for the Nhill community and our region for generations to come.”

Nhill and District Sporting Club, based at Davis Park, has almost 600 members and is made up of cricket, football, hockey, netball and soccer clubs.

“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 local facilities,” Ms Kealy said.

Warracknabeal

Ms Kealy made the Nhill announcement after joining Nationals leader Peter Walsh to launch a petition calling on the State Government to commit money to finish a Warracknabeal Education Precinct project.

A former Liberal-nationals government provided planning money for the project in 2014, followed by an $8-million pre-election commitment to bring plans to fruition.

Ms Kealy said the Andrews Labor government had since provided only a fraction of the money required to complete the project, leaving the plan to consolidate Warracknabeal special development school, secondary college and primary school in limbo.

She said the schools now faced an ‘impossible’ decision of continuing to work over split campuses or staying put and leaving new school buildings empty until they received funding required to complete the project.

Mr Walsh and Ms Kealy visited Warracknabeal Primary School to discuss the half-completed state of the town’s education precinct.

“The Liberal-nationals believe all young people deserve the best educational services and opportunities whether they live in the city or the country,” Ms Kealy said.

“There is no doubt quality educational facilities help attract new families to regional centres, ensuring these communities continue to grow and prosper.

“This petition will send a clear message to Premier Daniel Andrews that all young people are entitled to a quality education and the residents of Lowan will accept nothing less.”

Mr Walsh said the Nationals were focused on speaking to regional Victorians about the projects they wanted in their communities.

“There’s clear community support for the new education precinct in Warracknabeal and a drive to provide the best start in life for our local kids,” he said.

“The Nationals have a vision to decentralise our state, so all of Victoria shares in the benefits of our state’s population growth – not just Melbourne.”

Petition forms are available at various Warracknabeal businesses, Ms Kealy’s electoral office in Horsham or by calling Ms Kealy’s office on 5382 009.