December 20, 2018
Kumbia tennis players will be celebrating following the announcement on Thursday that the Federal Government has released more than $146,000 to restore the Kumbia courts.
The $146,284 grant has come from the Move It Aus Community Sport Infrastructure program.
It will be used to resurface the three tennis courts which are located beside the Kumbia Sportsground area in Gordon Street.
One of these courts will also be redesigned into a multi-purpose area.
The three courts are currently not in a usable condition.
Lighting, destroyed in recent storms, will be upgraded to energy-efficient LEDs and fencing around the courts will be replaced.
South Burnett councillor Ros Heit thanked Jules Entwistle and Desi Crawford for preparing the grant application.
“It’s wonderful for Kumbia, especially after the lashing by the two storms,” she said.
“It will be good for community spirit.”
The refurbishment of two of the Kumbia tennis courts had been earmarked as a “priority action” in the draft South Burnett Regional Council Infrastructure and Strategic Plan released earlier this year.
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Widgee Recreation Grounds have received $30,000 under the same program.
The Widgee District Hall and Recreation Association will use the grant to upgrade the power supply and install new lighting at the recently renovated and refurbished equestrian arena at Widgee Recreation Grounds.
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Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said 2053 grant applications had been received from across Australia, far more than anticipated.
In Queensland, 39 projects were successful in receiving a total of $6.4 million in funding.
“To meet the obvious interest, the government will allocate an additional $30 million for projects in early 2019 from the existing pool of applications,” Mr O’Brien said.
“This investment in sporting infrastructure and facilities will provide a real encouragement for people to get active, as it is a key priority of our government to encourage promote the social and health benefits of physical activity and sport.”
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