More kids in Collingwood will be able to get involved in basketball thanks to an exciting partnership between the Andrews Labor Government and the National Basketball League.
As part of the $70 million Big Housing Build project that will deliver new social and affordable housing in Collingwood, a new full-court and an additional half-court will be installed at Harmsworth Reserve, replacing the existing concrete court, which is in poor condition.
The new courts, which are planned to be ready for use in August, will be constructed using high-performance interlocked tiles, which feature increased shock absorption and reduced noise.
The $120,000 project is being jointly funded by Homes Victoria, the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, the Community Support Fund and the NBL.
Additional lighting, seating and a storage area will also be installed at the reserve as part of the project. Yarra City Council has also offered a free 'smart bench' to be installed next to the basketball courts, which will provide publicly accessible free Wi-Fi and wireless phone charging.
The project is part of a major revitalization of the public housing site in Wellington Street, Collingwood. As part of the $5.3 billion Big Housing Build, the Victorian Government is building 152 new homes at the site. There will be a mix of one, two and three-bedroom homes, with both social housing and affordable housing.
The project will provide homes for more than 300 Victorians for whom stable housing would otherwise be out of reach, while also creating hundreds of local jobs.
The project will create a well-connected and welcoming neighbourhood with open spaces. As well as the basketball courts, the plans include an expanded communal garden, an enlarged futsal pitch and a nature play area.
As stated by Minister for Housing Richard Wynne
"The work we have planned for this site will help create a more vibrant neighbourhood, strengthen community connections and provide social and affordable housing for those who need it most."
"This project is delivering the green space, and facilities like new basketball courts, that residents have told us they want for their community."
As stated by Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence
"Victoria's demand for basketball courts is rising rapidly and these courts will provide more opportunities for local players and residents to get on a high-quality basketball court."
As stated by National Basketball League Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger
"Basketball courts are such a great use of public space, the NBL is very proud to be working with Homes Victoria to deliver new courts in a community that loves basketball."
