Bundaberg Cycling Club will use $4500 from a Council grant for the installation of LED flood lighting around their circuit.
The grant was provided through Council’s Community Grants funding, which offers amounts of up to $5000 for eligible organisations.
Bundaberg Cycling Club president Wayne Morden said the lighting upgrades were essential to velodrome racing and the grant would be used along with two others from State and Federal Governments to improve the lighting around the full 400-metre circuit.
“Our velodrome is a massive area, which makes it all the more difficult to light up, so this grant means we’ll be able to improve our lighting and meet those requirements,” Wayne said.
“Without bringing in extra lighting we basically had to compete in the heat of the summer and utilise the natural light, which works but it’s not ideal.
“This new lighting means we can go back to racing safely in the evening and will mean we can also use this space more diversely for events.”
The Bundaberg Cycling Club has also engaged a local lighting company to undertake the work.
Wayne said that ALL LED DIRECT will help the club reach Cycling Australia’s lighting requirements, which states all cycling clubs must provide lighting around a circuit at a minimum of 100 lux.
“In the process of organising new lighting, we’ve actually gone into partnership with local Bundaberg Contractor ALL LED DIRECT and they’re coming on to partner with the cycling club for the next few years,” he said.
Council’s sport and recreation portfolio spokesperson Cr Vince Habermann said the funding was a great boost for the club and would improve their capacity to provide for cyclists and cycling events.
“This funding will help improve the safety of the velodrome, but also enable them to host night events, which it hasn’t been able to do,” Cr Haberman said.
“With the club holding events like Cycle Fest it’s important that they get the support needed to be able to hold these events with the best possible facilities, and in doing so we can build these events and improve the Bundaberg Cycling Club at the same time.”
Community services spokesperson Cr Tracey McPhee said $70,000 had been set aside in the current budget to assist local community groups and organisations.
“The grants programs offer a helping hand with funding to enable these groups to push through these trying times and to continue the necessary services and opportunities they provide,” Cr McPhee said.
“It’s important these groups feel supported and valued in the work and connectivity they bring to the community and our residents.”
Around $29,000 has also been allocated to recently announced community grants projects with applications currently open for the second of three funding rounds.
Information on Council grants can be found at www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/grants-funding
