Lakes Entrance Action and Development Association’s (LEADA) infrastructure committee met last Monday with East Gippsland Shire’s Manager of Assets and the Environment, Stuart McConnell, to review the progress of key Lakes Entrance Infrastructure projects.
“Driving around the town it is reassuring to see the construction that is taking place,” Chair of the infrastructure committee Bruce Hurley said.
Several projects that are underway will be completed by Christmas including the foreshore playground, Myer Street and Marine Parade upgrades and Stage One of the Krauatungalung Walk.
“Add to these the recently completed works on Bullock Island, the Slipway, Jemmys Point and the Esplanade, Lakes Entrance is becoming a more attractive place to live and visit,” Mr Hurley said.
“During recent years the art scene based at the Slipway and Iceworks have enriched the town, as well as many new businesses and events such as the East Gippsland Winter Festival and New Year’s Eve Fireworks. I’m looking forward to the buzz that these developments will create during the Christmas holidays.”
Looking ahead LEADA’s infrastructure committee will continue to meet to monitor progress and advocate for funding for the next round of projects such as the sports precinct and the completion of the Krauatungalung Walk.
LEADA’s survey of members and general feedback have ranked a multipurpose indoor sports stadium as the first infrastructure priority for the town. It was noted at the committee meeting the town has been campaigning for more than 20 years for such a facility and that for too long the growth of sports in Lakes Entrance, such as basketball, have been hindered by lack of facilities.
The infrastructure committee has set up a sports precinct working party, chaired by Boyd McPhee, with representatives from the basketball, tennis, pickleball, futsal, volleyball and netball clubs.
The sports precinct covers the area occupied by the existing tennis, croquet and Aquadome.
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Plans are being developed for a multi-use sports stadium that will be situated behind the Aquadome and will be able to house three competition size basketball courts as well as facilities required for pickleball, futsal, netball and volleyball.
“There is a long way to go to complete the sports precinct project, but a promising start has been made,” Mr McPhee said.
“The State Government has committed $800,000 for the planning and design of the sports precinct that will include the new sports stadium. It is anticipated the project will cost over $10 million to complete. LEADA will be advocating for the allocation of funds in future Federal, State and Local government budgets to complete the project.”
