Council secures funding for sporting upgrades

Published on 15 October 2026

West Wimmera Shire Council has secured funding to deliver a new cricket training facility in Kaniva and develop designs for upgraded netball and tennis facilities in Edenhope.

Both projects have been successful under the 2026-27 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund program, with the Kaniva Recreation Reserve Cricket Training Facilities Project funded through the Community Facilities Stream and the Edenhope Recreation Reserve Netball and Tennis Facilities Design Project through the Planning Stream.

The Kaniva project will deliver a new two-lane cricket training facility at the Kaniva Recreation Reserve.

It will include dedicated cricket storage, a spectator area and associated site works.

The project is supported by $40,000 from the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund and a $40,000 contribution from the Kaniva Cricket Club.

The new facility will provide a dedicated training space for the Kaniva Cricket Club, which currently use ageing cricket nets at Kaniva College.

The project was identified as a priority through the Kaniva Recreation Reserve Masterplan.

Council has also secured funding to develop designs for improvements to the Edenhope Recreation Reserve netball and tennis facilities.

The Edenhope project is for design works only and will not deliver construction of the upgraded facilities.

The designs will help inform future funding applications to support the delivery of infrastructure improvements.

The project will investigate options for new court layouts, upgraded changeroom facilities and improvements to supporting infrastructure, including carparking, shelters and pathways.

The existing courts have deteriorating surfaces, accessibility issues and construction gradients that do not meet current requirements. The existing netball changeroom facilities also have limitations around privacy and separation between teams.

Council Chief Executive Officer David Bezuidenhout said the funding would help progress important sporting infrastructure priorities across the shire.

“Sporting facilities play an important role in supporting active communities and providing opportunities for people of all ages to participate,” he said.

“The Kaniva project will provide the cricket club with a dedicated training facility, while the Edenhope design project will help establish a clear path towards future investment in the reserve’s netball and tennis facilities.

“The Edenhope designs will be an important step in identifying the improvements needed and supporting future funding applications to help bring those upgrades to life.”