WHITE Flat Oval will see new CCTV cameras and safer pathways in the final step of making the inner city oval more user friendly, particularly to women.
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Wendouree MP Sharon Knight almost $190,000 would be spent at the oval thanks to a combined state government and council grant to make the area safer at night.
This comes on top of $650,000 which has already been spent updating the oval, pavilion and new women’s change rooms which will open next year.
“While we think about this as being a home for women’s football and cricket and athletics and mixed gender teams, it’s also important for the locals who use this space,” Ms Knight said.
“It’s a beautiful area to walk around and I hope it will encourage more girls, more women to participate in sport. Girls will participate if they feel safe, if they feel supported and if the facilities are there.”
Cr Daniel Moloney while the seclusion of the area was one of its strengths, it could also be a weakness.
“This is almost the final piece of the puzzle to make it more safe at night, to get rid of the perception that it’s too dark and quiet,” Cr Moloney said.
“By lighting the area and having CCTV cameras it makes everyone feel much safer.”
East Point Dragons junior coordinator Kath Jones said as the club grew, it was important that parents felt safe for their children to play at the oval.
“It’s nice to know it’s going to be much safer particularly for young girls. We are a growing club, so we hope to attract more young players.
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