Martha HAYLETT (Ripon) (10:04):

Last Tuesday was one of my proudest days since being elected the member for Ripon. I joined the Deputy Premier along with students from Miners Rest Primary School and representatives from the Committee for Miners Rest to announce that the Andrews Labor government will build a brand new sports facility for Miners Rest.

This is huge for Miners Rest. The growing suburb in Ballarat’s north is home to almost 4000 residents, but it currently only has a supermarket, petrol station, community hall, CFA station and pub. Locals have to travel up to Learmonth or down to Ballarat to play sports and have not ever had a local option. But that is about to change, thanks to our government.

The brand new sports facility will be complete by early 2025 and will include a competition-grade oval, sports pavilion, change rooms, amenities, car parking and more. It will mean Miners Rest locals will be able to play sports close to home – a massive win for kids and locals of all ages.

The facility will be part of the Commonwealth Games to temporarily house the North Ballarat football–netball club while works are being done on Mars Stadium. It will then be a lasting legacy for decades to come.

I want to thank the Deputy Premier for joining me to announce this exciting news, and I want to thank Alicia Bond, David Harris and other members of the Committee for Miners Rest for their advocacy over recent years to get this done. I am so proud to be part of a government that listens and delivers the projects that matter.