The Allan Labor Government is backing better facilities for grassroots sport and local communities.
Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spence this week announced applications are open for the 2025–26 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSIF).
The Fund, which creates better places to play, train and compete across Victoria, was extended in the Victorian Budget 2025–26 and has three streams including community facilities, community sports lighting, and planning.
Councils are able to apply for between $40,000–$500,000 for projects, which could include new or improved sports courts, lights, changerooms, playgrounds and skate parks, to benefit local clubs and communities.
All Victorian councils and Alpine Resorts are eligible to apply in partnership with their local sport and recreation clubs, sport associations and leagues, with a focus on projects that will support local communities and groups to increase participation, including among women and girls.
Successful projects funded through a previous round include $250,000 towards a new family recreation space at Dandenong’s Greaves Reserve, featuring a multi-use court for basketball and soccer, a tennis half-court with rebound wall, and connecting pathways.
Fawkner’s popular Charles Mutton Reserve also received $200,000 to deliver a 150-lux LED lighting upgrade on both sports ovals, providing the Northern Saints Football Club with more playing and training time on their ovals to meet growing demand.
At Frankston Park, $250,000 is delivering bigger and better home-and-away changerooms for teams
from the Frankston Football Club and Frankston Dolphins Reclink Football Team to help them host games.
This announcement comes following more than $24 million invested in regional sports facilities in July through round two of the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.
The Victorian Budget 2025–26 is also investing $20 million to continue providing new and improved community sports infrastructure, including through the LSIF.
It’s part of more than $2.4 billion invested in community sport and recreation infrastructure over the past decade.
