Colac Otway Shire Council will seek funding for three projects through the Victorian Government's Local Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSIF) program.
Under the program, there are three streams that can be applied to - Community Infrastructure, Community Sports Lighting and Planning.
Council will seek funding for:
- $500,000 for the Western Reserve Netball Pavilion Development with a cash and volunteer contribution from Colac Imperials Football Netball Club of up to $112,896 and in-kind contribution of $108,250 under the Community Infrastructure stream
- $250,000 for lighting upgrades at Central Reserve Hockey Fields with a Council contribution of up to $83,334 through the Community Sports Lighting stream and
- $40,000 for a municipal tennis infrastructure planning project with a Council contribution of up to $15,000 and $5,000 from Tennis Victoria for the Planning stream;
A number of eligible projects were considered against program guidelines and looked at project readiness, alignment with Council priorities and available co-contributions. Applications to the fund have to be submitted by Council by28 July 2026.
The Central Reserve Hockey Fields lighting upgrade was identified through the recent Colac Otway Football Facilities Feasibility Study and will support Colac Otway Rovers Amateur Football Club in helping to accommodate their needs.
"The Central Reserve Hockey Fields represent a practical next step in supporting local football. As a Council-managed facility, the project is advanced and well-positioned to proceed," Council Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Tenni said.
The project would upgrade the existing halogen lighting at Central Reserve Hockey Fields with LED lighting.
"The lighting upgrade would support increased use of the reserve, provide additional training capacity and help reduce pressure on Central Reserve and Western Reserve."
The Western Reserve Netball Pavilion Development project has been progressed by the Colac Imperials Football Netball Club. The club will provide all the funding, volunteer and in-kind support for the delivery of the project, along with the grant funding, if the application is successful.
"The replacement of the existing Netball Facility Rooms at Western Reserve was a project identified in the reserve masterplan and has been progressed significantly by the club," Mr Tenni said.
An assessment of tennis facilities and participation in the sport in the Shire would also be reviewed if Council is successful in its funding application for a project under the planning stream.
"A proposed municipal tennis infrastructure planning project would assess demand, review the Shire's tennis facility network, identify future priorities and guide investment in tennis infrastructure in Colac Otway," Mr Tenni said.
Tennis Victoria support the project with a confirmed contribution of $5,000 as well as in-kind support through venue and participation data.
Council has previously been successful in securing funding for various projects through the LSIF, including the Colac Bike Park Project and the recently endorsed Colac Otway Football Facilities Feasibility Study.
