By DANIELLE GALVIN
CHANDLER Reserve in Emerald will get a major boost.
Cardinia Shire councillors voted at a recent council meeting to appoint contractor Lasergrade to the undertake irrigation, drainage and reshaping works to the reserve.
Cr Leticia Wilmot withdrew the motion at the council meeting to talk about the “exciting project” for an oval that was sometimes dangerous to use.
She said the Emerald Football Club and the Emerald Cricket Club were aware that the works would affect their 2014 playing season.
“The quote that came back was well below what was allocated in the budget,” she said.
In the officer’s report, the council noted that throughout the 2011 and 2012 season, the football club had to find alternative venues for their senior teams due to the poor state of the oval’s surface.
Cr Tania Baxter seconded the motion and said it was great to see a project that was promised as part of the Ranges Ward election campaign.
Matches were regularly played in ankle-deep mud and on one occasion, a game had to be transferred. The works include reshaping of the oval, installation of a sand base, a new turf surface, and the installation of a sub-surface drainage and irrigation system.
Cr Collin Ross said the council had historically worked to improve one such ground a year while Cr Graeme Moore said it would be a win for the wider hills community.
He said despite being a smaller council than the City of Casey, Cardinia had done a good job of fixing up sporting grounds and ovals.
Cr David Young said recreation reserves were run by dedicated volunteer groups who deserved council’s support.
