THE federal government will spend $5 million on the redevelopment of Bruce Park in Frankston. The sports ground hosted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the announcement last week. He said the money would go towards “redesigning the pavilion for tennis, football and cricket, female-friendly change rooms, accessible public toilets, additional rooms and storage.”
Albanese said “one of the young girls here was talking about how people are coming in, and last year, there were so many girls that they might move away from having mixed teams in footy. Now that’s a fantastic thing, but what we haven’t got around Australia is change rooms to enable that to happen, in order for people to feel confident and safe as they participate and as they get older and mature, and that is so important.”
Dunkley MP Jodie Belyea told The Times that the money is budgeted. The federal budget will be handed down on 25 March. “I can confirm that the Albanese Government will provide $5 million in funding for Bruce Park as a budgeted decision of government,” Belyea said. “For me, our local sporting clubs are the bedrock of our community. This $5 million investment will go towards upgrading Bruce Park, building a new two-storey pavilion and modern amenities.”
Heatherhill Cricket Club president Zach Horlsey said the club room, first built in 1994, is in desperate need of an upgrade. “For the girls that are here to be in an environment and a place where they can grow up and enjoy the facilities like I have and many people around us have is amazing. Not only does it bring together the football and cricket club again, but we can also embrace the tennis club as a dual residency together, as all clubs will share it,” Horsley said.
Frankston Council had identified the project as one of its advocacy priorities during the federal election campaign. It has put in $3.33 million towards the redevelopment, and is seeking matching commitments from the state and federal government. Frankston mayor Kris Bolam said “the redevelopment of Bruce Park Pavilion will provide much-needed facilities for our local sporting clubs and ensure that our Frankston City can continue to grow and thrive. We look forward to making this project a reality.”
First published in the Frankston Times – 25 March 2025