BACKGROUND

August 2003-The Shire of Yarra Ranges decision to develop a masterplan for the re-development of the Reserve followed repeated requests from the user groups to improve the playing fields and facilities along with upgrading the bushland area.A Steering Committee of the key users,community members and the Shire was appointed to guide the project development.

2004-A project consulting company was appointed to undertake the development of the masterplan.A literature review was undertaken to ensure that the masterplan recommendations were consistent with the strategic direction and policy positions of previous planning processes adopted by Council.Local and general demographics along with leisure trends were analysed and a survey was sent to 600 residents.A condition assessment was undertaken on the various components of the Reserve.User groups were interviewed and asked to identify their priorities and needs.Financial and environmental matters were also addressed.

June 2005-Council formally adopted the masterplan.Funds were allocated to undertake improvements to the front entrance and the driveway into the Reserve.These works were identified as high priority by the Steering Committee and Council.Funds were allocated by Council for future implementation of the masterplan.

July 2006-Councillor Len Cox and our local State Member,James Merlino inspected the damage to the Reserves facilities following heavy rain.

August 2006-Following representations by Len Cox ,Council allocated $660,000 towards the various projects to be undertaken.A Public meeting was called to gain support to raise funds from the community.James Merlino promised to support any application we made to the State Government under their Community Grants Scheme.This meeting was a huge success with several hundred residents attending and pledging in excess of $100,000.

October 2006-State Government advised that we had been granted $380,000 through the Department of Sport and Recreation.At this stage we had promised funds of $1,140,000.Although this was a fantastic effort by the community,it was clear that we needed further funds to complete all the recommendations in the Plan,particularly the renovation of the pavilion.

May 2007-A decision was made that we apply for funding under the Federal Goverments Regional Partnerships Program.It was determined that we would be the applicant and that we would prepare the applicaton in conjunction with Council.Our local Federal Member,Tony Smith,advised that he would strongly support our application.Our application was summitted in July 2007.

October 2007-We were advised that we had been successful in obtaining a grant of $660,000 which would lift our total funds to $1.8m.

November 2007-Following the election of the new Federal Government ,we were advised that all previous approvals were to be frozen until the Government considered an audit undertaken in resect of all projects.No further funding agreements were to be signed.

May 2008-Federal Government advised that any organisation who had not signed a funding agreement would not be receiving a grant even though they had received written notification that their applications were successful.We were in this situation along with 140 others.This announcement was met with a huge outcry including our case being taken up by TV Channel 7 and several hundred letters and emails being sent to the responsible Federal Minister.As a result of this ,the Government reversed its decision in respect of 86 cases,which includes us.We are now awaiting the funding agreement which has to be executed by 31 July,2008.

August 2008-During the period May-July 2008, the Federal Government conducted further examinations of the 86 not-for-profit grantees to ensure that they complied with the Government’s current guidelines. In early August, our grant was confirmed and on 13th August, 2008 we signed the Funding Agreement with the Government. In accordance with the terms of this Agreement, we have to complete the pavilion tender process by 31st December, 2008 and commence building during January-February, 2009. Tenders were sought on 27th September, 2008 and close on 12th November, 2008.