A new sports pavilion in Gladstone Park will open today, offering more opportunities for community participation thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.

Member for Sunbury Josh Bull opened the redeveloped Gladstone Park Pavilion that will be more inclusive and encourage greater female participation.

The new pavilion includes two new gender inclusive changerooms, a large community social space, an administration office, additional rooms for trainers and umpires, and a new kitchen and serving area.

The Gladstone Park Pavilion redevelopment was a $1.95 million project supported by a $400,000 contribution from the Labor Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund.

Through the Growing Suburbs Fund the Labor Government has invested $425 million over eight years in critical local infrastructure in Melbourne’s diverse and growing outer suburbs that now represent 31.4 per cent of Victoria’s population.

For more than two decades, their population growth has exceeded Victoria’s state average and that trend is expected to continue with around 900,000 additional residents forecast by 2036.

Since 2015, the Growing Suburbs Fund has provided almost $37 million for 37 Hume City Council projects.

Through the Fund the Labor Government has supported almost 350 projects across Melbourne, representing a total infrastructure investment of $1.2 billion and creating more than 11,340 jobs.

More information on the Growing Suburbs Fund is available at localgovernment.vic.gov.au/grants.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne

“We’re supporting our fastest growing suburbs to thrive by investing in vital community infrastructure.”

“Over the last eight years we’ve been building a legacy by upgrading parks, playgrounds, libraries and sports pavilions like Gladstone Park for Victoria’s growing communities.”

Quote attributable to Member for Sunbury Josh Bull

“A new and more inclusive Gladstone Park Pavilion is exactly what families in our growing community need, it will provide greater opportunities for everyone to participate in sport and healthy outdoor activities.”