12779303-AA26-25
WEDNESDAY, 16 JULY, 2025
Secrets of the west This year’s Open House Melbourne Weekend on July 26 and 27, gives people the chance for a sneak peek at the Werribee Open Range Zoo expansion, along with open access to Werribee Park Mansion. In nearby Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay, there will be a Footscray heritage theatres, tours of Footscray Market, Footscray Park and Footscray Townhall, access and tours of Whitten Oval and the Sun Theatre. There’s site tours for the Altona Treatment Plant, Altona Homestead, Scienceworks and the Substation.
Werribee Zoo. (Supplied)
Funding returned By Tara Murray Much-needed upgrades to a Wyndham Vale sporting ground described as an ‘old paddock covered in grass’ continue to wait, with Wyndham council set to return $400,000 of funding for the project to the state government. The council received a $500,000 state government grant from the World Game Facilities Fund for upgrades to Wyndham Vale North Reserve precinct. The grant was to assist in the construction of two senior and one junior soccer pitches, including irrigation, drainage and lighting. The lighting has been upgraded and
some work was done to the ground last year, but tenants Wyndham Football Club said the work has done little to improve the playing surface. A council spokesperson said that a revised cost estimate placed the total project at $6 million, with council having to contribute $5.5 million. The spokesperson confirmed council would return the remaining part of the funding to the state government. “Council has already delivered the sports ground lighting – fulfilling the club’s top priority,” the spokesperson said. “Council sought to redirect the $500,000 grant to assist in the construction of a modular pavilion – a multi-million-dollar
project included in council’s capital works plan. The reallocation was not supported. “Instead, Sport and Recreation Victoria supported a contribution of $100,000 from the grant on a pro-rata basis for the installation of the lighting. “The remaining $400,000 grant will now be returned to the state government.” Star Weekly understands council’s ability to deliver projects like this may be considered in future grant applications. Wyndham Football Club president Trevor Bowen said it had been a nightmare for the club as the grounds were not up to standard. “I would say half would be dire and sand,” he said.
“We’ve had motorbikes tear it up and community groups at all times of the day using the grounds. We can’t control them and tell them to stop using the ground. “It’s got a lot of wear and tear. I’ve been at the club five years and it’s only had a small upgrade with council putting sand on it. “We were back on the ground in three months. It needed 12 months.” Bowen described the grounds as a paddock that was never set up probably as a sporting ground and said Football Victoria considers one of the grounds as not playable. CONTINUED PAGE 7
WITH REAL SKILLS COMES EXCELLENT QUALITY Exceptional Lawn and Garden Care in the Western Suburbs Sam.egger.slc@gmail.com
0456 087 762 12785072-JV28-25