Because the township will “move” into Benambra electorate from Benalla in November, it got a “double Bill” announcement yesterday from MPs Bill Sykes and Bill Tilley.

The grant from Victoria’s Living Libraries fund through Local Government Minister Tim Bull will go toward a $420,000 major redevelopment of the existing site at Lakeside Avenue.

That will also include 75 square metres for meeting spaces and amenities and improved IT access.

Alpine Council has committed $140,000 towards the project.

Dr Sykes said: “The local population has grown over the past 20 years with young families making up the majority of new residents, creating the need for better learning and digital resources.”

Mr Tilley and Dr Sykes went on to announce $70,000 in funding for the construction of a new netball court at Mount Beauty Recreation Reserve.

At present there is no netball court at the site.

The club is currently playing and training on a non-compliant court at the Mount Beauty Primary School.

The $130,000 project will be completed with $40,000 from Alpine Council, $10,000 from the Dederang Mount Beauty Football and Netball Club and $10,000 of in-kind contributions.

Mr Tilley said securing the project had been a “team effort”.

New netball courts were laid out recently at Dederang.

Mr Tilley then travelled over to the Ovens Valley to join Murray Valley MP Tim McCurdy in announcing $86,500 for a significant upgrade of the Gapsted Public Hall.

Gapsted is in Benambra but will become part of the new Ovens Valley, to be contested by Mr McCurdy for the Nationals in November.

The upgrade involves a refurbishment of the timber-frame community hall, which was built in 1936.

It will provide a larger outdoor area; a commercial kitchen; updated electrical works; roof repairs and improvements to the toilets.

The funding towards the $115,850 project will be provided through the Coalition’s Regional Growth Fund.