After sustained advocacy from Council, the Australian Government has announced Council has secured two Thriving Suburbs grants totaling more than $5m to improve community infrastructure and climate outcomes.

The first grant of $2.915 million is to upgrade the Collingwood Leisure Centre (CLC) from gas to electricity and to improve cooling and dehumidification of the pool and spa hall. This will reduce emissions in the order of 400 tonnes per year.

These upgrades will vastly improve CLC’s climate-safe facility operation, occupant comfort and employee safety, especially during heatwaves, providing an important place of refuge for vulnerable residents during high heat events. 

This project will eliminate fossil fuel usage, improve the efficiency and enable net-zero emissions operations, using on-site and grid supplied 100% renewable energy and battery storage

The second grant of $2.25 million is to upgrade Yambla Pavilion in Quarries Park in Clifton Hill.

Quarries Park is a popular site for families and children. Yambla Pavilion was built there in the 1980s for one purpose – men’s soccer. This new funding will allow us to construct a safe, inclusive and accessible facility that allows residents and visitors of all ages, genders and abilities can participate.

The upgraded facility will include four player changerooms, referee and first aid facilities, carparking, a viewing deck to the soccer field, canteen-kitchen and other public amenities.

These improvements will provide space for women and girls to contribute to and remain involved in all aspects of sport into future generations.

This new Australian Government funding to upgrade Yambla Pavilion will be used alongside a Victorian Government grant for $500,000, awarded as part of their World Game Facilities Fund 2021-22.