Funding secured to remediate bushfire impacted ovals

The entire Adelaide Hills community will benefit from a $210,250 grant from the AFL Community Relief Fund to repair and rebuild five football ovals across the Council area that were impacted by the Cudlee Creek Bushfires. The grant represents a share of $1.2 million which was awarded to clubs and leagues across several states.

The ovals at Balhannah, Gumeracha, Lobethal, Mount Torrens and Woodside were all compromised during the course of the Cudlee Creek Bushfires. They were utilised by emergency services for critical functions or as last resort refuges, with significant volumes of traffic having an impact on their condition.

As important community assets that bring families and friends together, especially during the football and cricket seasons, the grant money will be hugely beneficial in ensuring oval surfaces are in top condition for when football season resumes, following the current COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The funding will also significantly contribute to the cost of pitch covers for each of the ovals.

Council worked closely with affected Hills football clubs, the SANFL, SACA, Sport SA and Living Turf to prepare the application which was awarded in full by the AFL Community Relief Fund. The Community Relief Fund was established by the AFL to support local communities in fire affected areas to repair and rebuild their football clubs. The fund has even gone as far as helping footballing families in these impacted communities around the country.

A further round of applications from community football clubs will be assessed in August 2020. Any Hills clubs seeking support through this fund for remediation or longer term recovery support are encouraged to contact the Council to discuss their application.

More information about the AFL Community Relief Fund can be found at afl.com.au.