The State Government‘s Royalties for Regions Country Local Government Fund has given Dunsborough’s sporting community a boost, providing $1.4million towards the town’s new oval.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls today opened the oval - a centrepiece of the Dunsborough Playing Fields refurbishment.

“More than a year after construction of the new oval began, to the south of the existing playing fields, I am delighted to officially open the new and improved facilities,” Mr Grylls said.

“The existing playing fields are used by a variety of groups, including Australian Rules football, rugby, soccer, hockey and cricket.  Earlier this year, the playing fields were the venue for a series of community clinics run by the Fremantle Football Club.

“The installation of lights on the existing playing fields and the creation of a new oval will maximise the capacity of the town to host night games and special events, and draw visiting sports clubs. This will help deliver economic benefits to the town in addition to the obvious health and community advantages.”

The Country Local Government Fund helps build and maintain community infrastructure, while the South West Regional Grants Scheme funds projects that improve quality of life, attract investment or increase jobs.

The Minister said the Shire of Busselton received $1,263,255 through the 2008-09 round of the Country Local Government Fund towards construction of the new oval in Dunsborough, and $145,000 through the South West Regional Grants Scheme for the installation of lighting at the exisiting oval.

“This was an example of a shire identifying a major priority for the community and funding it through its own allocation of Royalties for Regions,” he said.

“The development commission then built on the shire’s commitment by providing funding for lighting through the regional grants scheme.”