CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Ms THWAITES (Jagajaga) (10:29): I am proud to be part of a government that is investing in the infrastructure that my community needs and deserves. In Jagajaga, 3081 is a growing and changing community with young families who need good local facilities and places to come together. I was really pleased to recently join Mayor Alison Champion and Councillor Mary O'Kane to turn the sod on a new pavilion at Shelley Park in Heidelberg Heights.

This is a long-awaited project for the Heidelberg Heights community. As I said, this is a community that is changing rapidly. I know that people are looking for places where they can come together and gather as a community, which families can access and, of course, which our wonderful North Heidelberg Sporting Club can use as they continue their successes.

I'm really pleased that the Albanese government is investing $3 million in this new community facility, which will support the North Heidelberg Sporting Club and support the wider 3081 community. I want to thank Banyule Council, Warren, Leigh and the North Heidelberg team for their patience and their advocacy to me to get this project delivered, and I'm really looking forward to seeing it finished next year.

In Eltham, in the northern part of my electorate, it's been wonderful to be able to invest in community facilities there. Again, I'm really aware how important it is for local people to have places to come together, to get outdoors and to celebrate our community. It was wonderful to recently be with state member Vicki Ward, Nillumbik shire mayor Naomi Joiner and residents to celebrate the upgrades at Eltham Lower Park.

This has been achieved with $2 million from the Albanese Labor government. Again, a big thanks to all the community members who advocated to me for this upgrade. We're seeing a new pavilion to support the cricket club and the lacrosse club, allowing for greater participation in local sport and community activities.

We've got improved accessibility, some new amenities and the new off-leash dog park. It also involves some important environmental works, because it is a beautiful part of the electorate—some revegetation and landscaping and protecting the local biodiversity. I have even seen an echidna at this park, so, if you're lucky, you might get to see one too.

Thanks to the Friends of Eltham Lower Park and the fantastic volunteer committees at the clubs there. Finally, I would like to mention the support we're giving to sport in Ivanhoe. This is really a cross-generational project where we are supporting older Australians to age well through sports like croquet and also encouraging more girls and young women to get involved in netball.

This is a $2 million investment from the Albanese Labor government at Ivanhoe to upgrade the sporting precinct there. I'm looking forward to seeing this come together and more locals benefit from our government's investment.