New oval lighting and more is set to put a spotlight on the big East Gippsland footy and cricket matches at Bairnsdale City Oval and Lochiel Park in Orbost, thanks to the Allan Labor Government. 

At Bairnsdale City Oval, Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh joined members from the Bairnsdale Football Netball Club last week, as well as East Gippsland Shire Council representatives, and the Bairnsdale City Oval Committee of Management, to officially launch the new facilities in both towns, made possible by a more than $948,000 funding package from the Victorian Government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.
 
Works at Bairnsdale City Oval and Lochiel Park have installed new lighting towers that provide 100 lux LED lighting to the grounds. 

The new lights give local football a chance to stage night games and expand training development, giving more people the opportunity to kit up and get involved in local sport, particularly women and girls. 

The Bairnsdale City Oval pavilion was also upgraded to include modern change rooms, suitable for women and girls, with the City Oval surface levelled and expanded with a new irrigation system. 

Clubs in Bairnsdale to benefit include the Bairnsdale Redlegs, West Bairnsdale Cricket Club, and East Gippsland Umpires Association. Orbost’s Snowy Rovers Football Netball Club will benefit from new lights at Lochiel Park. 
Over the past decade the Victorian Government has invested more than $1.9 billion in community sport and recreation infrastructure across the state.  

The Victorian Budget 2024/25 is also kicking in more than $23 million to continue delivery of community sports infrastructure, and programs to increase participation opportunities and improve accessibility. 
  
Initiatives like these create jobs, stimulate local economies and improve the health, wellbeing and social outcomes for Victorian communities. 

Tom McIntosh MP acknowledged East Gippsland Shire Council for its more than $950,000 contribution and commitment to delivering these projects, the Australian Government for its $100,000 contribution, and the Orbost Snowy Rovers Football Netball Club for its $5,000 contribution toward the Lochiel Park lighting upgrade. 

For more information about infrastructure grant opportunities available through the Victorian Government, visit sport.vic.gov.au. 

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh  

“Footy and cricket in Bairnsdale and Orbost has long been important to the local sport scene, and these lighting, oval and pavilion upgrades ensure local clubs have facilities they need to help them get the most out of their game.” 

“These upgrades will open up more participation opportunities here at Bairnsdale City Oval, meaning more people will have the chance to grab a footy, have a bowl and join in the fun day and night.” 

Quotes attributable to Bairnsdale Football Netball Club President Michael Mann 

"These upgrades will mean we can get bigger crowds and a better experience for visiting teams."

"Our youth girls’ teams will have more privacy, and we’ll also be able to attract players to our league."