Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards today announced two local projects will share in more than $18.3 million through the latest round of the Local Sports Infrastructure

“I have been working closely with Mount Alexander Shire Council to support the facilities our local community need. This funding is a big win for Newstead and Castlemaine.” Said Ms Edwards

“I look forward to the new equipment being installed in Newstead, and seeing what a future Castlemaine Skatepark could look like.”

Fund:
• Newstead Outdoor Exercise Equipment - $50,000 Installation of outdoor exercise equipment at Lyons Park, Newstead and associated landscape and signage works.
• Castlemaine Skatepark Design Project - $39,999 Development of concept and schematic design for Castlemaine Skatepark extension to create a safe, accessible and inclusive park for all levels and abilities.

Inclusive of site assessment, community engagement, concept plan, schematic design and cost estimates.

Both projects will be delivered by the Mount Alexander Shire Council.

This round of the Fund will support projects worth more than $64.8 million across Victoria, adding to the more than $2.4 billion dollars invested in sport and recreation infrastructure since 2014.

The 2025/26 Victorian Budget invested $20 million to continue delivering high-quality, accessible community sport infrastructure through programs like the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.

These investments are helping more Victorians get active while supporting local jobs, economies and healthier communities.

New data from Sport and Recreation Victoria shows more than 330 funded projects over two years have increased participation by almost 43 per cent – bringing more than 70,200 new participants into sport, including a 19 per cent increase in girls.

The projects have also supported more than 1,170 direct full-time jobs, delivering over $538 million worth of community sport and active recreation infrastructure.

For more information and to view successful projects, visit sport.vic.gov.au