General News
17 August, 2023
On the road to recovery
CAMPERDOWN and Terang are set to benefit from joint Federal and State Government funding as part of ongoing flood recovery efforts.
CAMPERDOWN and Terang are set to benefit from joint Federal and State Government funding as part of ongoing flood recovery efforts.
The Albanese and Andrews Labor Governments this week announced support for Victorian communities to restore treasured recreation areas and facilities damaged during the state-wide flooding in October and November 2022.
Under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, the Federal and State Governments have provided more than $11.8 million to 125 voluntary committees of management, which includes Terang and Camperdown racecourse committees.
The funding will give committees the funding needed to restore significant community gathering places and tourist destinations for use by residents and visitors.
The projects will also consider upgrades to improve their resilience against future disasters.
The flood recovery projects range from replacement and upgrade of drainage and power, road repairs, and replacement of fencing, to more complex rebuilding projects.
Camperdown Racecourse Recreation Reserve Committee of Management will receive $40,317 to restore and reinstate key infrastructure at Camperdown Turf Club Reserve.
Club president Anthony Finn said the committee were looking forward to rolling up their sleeves and working with local contractors who have been engaged to undertake the repairs.
“For little clubs it’s a big thing to improve our amenities,” he said.
“This funding is going to be used for new cabling, better amenities for new trainers and jockeys and to future proof our facilities.
“It’s going to be of huge benefit to us.”
He said times have been tough over the past three years with the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and flooding in 2022, however knowing Vic State and Federal Governments were committed to providing support where it is needed was reassuring.
“We had a fair bit of flood damage, we’ve had plumbers out to look at leaks and flooding, but there is been a lot of areas impacted including roads into the course, which is dangerous,” Mr Finn said.
“The money is a welcome addition to give us the option to improve amenities and ensure public safety, which is at the forefront of everything we do.”
Terang and District Racing Club will receive $38,531 to repair flood-impacted clubrooms, the carpark and the drainage around the Terang Racecourse and Recreation Reserve.
Both racecourses play an integral part in hosting thoroughbred racing in the south west and Corangamite Shire, hosting a cumulative seven race meetings, 15 sets of jumpouts and hurdle trials.
Club manager for both Terang and Camperdown, Karen Van Kempen, said it was “fantastic to be able to obtain funding to replace essential infrastructure that was damaged as a result of the floods and very heavy rain in late Spring 2022”.
“These venues provide facilities for no less than 2000 horses and their human stakeholders who attend the venues during spring, summer and autumn each year,” she said.
“It is critical to all involved, including our local communities, that we continue to have facilities and infrastructure that can accommodate this activity.”
Darlington Mechanics Institute and Recreation Reserve and Panmure Recreation Reserve were also named as funding recipients.
Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney said she had seen the impact of flooding first hand and believed it was “critical” to help community resources recover.
“This important funding will ensure the hardest hit communities are able to recover as quickly as possible,” she said.