The quest to install accessible playground equipment in the heart of Port Fairy has moved closer to reality thanks to a triple dose of funding.
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Port Fairy Belfast Lions Club members are rejoicing after receiving $20,000 from the Moyne Shire Council community assistance fund.
This has come on top of $5000 from both Pacific Hydro's Great South West Coast Sustainable Communities Fund and the South West Community Foundation Koroit and District Sub-Fund.
This funding will go towards the club's project for a liberty swing for the town.
Liberty swings are considered the world's safest swing for both children and adults in wheelchairs.
Port Fairy Belfast Lions Club member and liberty swing project administration officer Wendy Hunter said the funding was a valuable step forward.
"We are very thankful for the funding," Ms Hunter said.
"It makes a big difference because our fundraising has been curtailed since COVID-19 hit in March.
"We were going to struggle without support so it is wonderful news.
"We are over the moon and very excited."
The project, which would include the purchase and installation of the liberty swing, as well as some interactive play panels alongside it, is expected to cost $60,000.
The $30,000 in funding comes on top of $20,000 committed for the project from the Port Fairy Belfast Lions Club's coffers and $15,000 from the Australian Lions Foundation, taking the running tally to $65,000.
Ms Hunter said the preferred option for the location of the liberty swing was at Railway Place.
"It is important to have there swing in a central place that is easily accessible," she said.
"There will be a key for the swing and if we had it at Railway Place then the key could be left at the visitor information centre, which we think would work well."
In its 2019-20 budget, Moyne Shire Council allocated $100,000 to investigate establishing a playground at Railway Place.
Moyne Shire Council CEO Bill Millard said designs were being considered based on community feedback.