The soccer field at Victoria Park in Daylesford is set for a major upgrade, with the installation of new lighting funded through the Victorian Government’s Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.
Hepburn Shire Council has received $269,780 for the installation of 100 Lux LED lighting, enabling evening training and competitions from the 2026 season. The project is a joint effort between the Victorian Government, Hepburn Shire Council, and the Daylesford & Hepburn United Soccer Club.
The announcement follows close on heels of the installation of new lighting at the adjacent football and netball grounds at Victoria Park.
Mayor, Cr Don Henderson, welcomed the funding, saying the upgrade aligns with Council’s recently adopted Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, which prioritises increased active living.
“We know that 7.1 per cent of our population participates in organised sport, and we expect this to grow as we continue to invest in local sporting infrastructure,” Cr Henderson said. “Lighting at Victoria Park will not only improve access and safety but also support more diverse participation across the community.”
The upgrade supports Council’s Fair Access Policy, aimed at improving facilities for women and girls. It also responds to a 2022 audit of sports lighting across the Shire, which identified Victoria Park as a priority site.
The Daylesford project is part of a broader investment across regional Victoria, with 41 new initiatives sharing in almost $24 million through Round 2 of the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.
Local participation is already showing strong growth. According to the Victorian Government, more than 330 projects funded over the past two years have helped increase community sport participation by over 70,000 people, including a 19 per cent rise in junior girls taking part.
Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said the latest round of funding is about building vibrant, active communities. “These upgrades are a huge boost for our community, giving local clubs the facilities they deserve to increase participation and continue playing the sports they love,” she said.
Works at Victoria Park are expected to begin later this year. The lighting installation will be followed by future field improvements, supported by additional funding from the Federal Government.
For more information about the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund, visit sport.vic.gov.au.
This article is based on media releases from Hepburn Shire Council and from the office of Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas.
