A re-elected Turnbull Coalition Government will provide Mt Gravatt Bowls Club with $178,000 in funding to go towards the conversion of its existing grass surface to an artificial surface, as well as the construction of a cover over the new green.

Making the announcement at Mt Gravatt Bowls Club’s open men’s competition today, Liberal National Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said he was happy to pledge the funding that would help secure the club’s future.

“This project will significantly reduce the club’s operating costs,” Mr Vasta said.

“It will provide an excellent playing surface that will protect players from the elements. This will also help attract new members to this wonderful club.”

Business manager of Mt Gravatt Bowls Club, Reg Walls welcomed the funding announcement.

“This funding will provide much-needed certainty and a more secure future for the club,” Mr Walls said.

Mr Walls said the project would be a great benefit to the community and community organisations that utilised the club’s facilities.

“This includes barefoot bowlers, corporate bowlers and people who in part use the Licenced Club facilities in conjunction with the bowling greens.”

“We are also encouraging schools to use the greens facilities and have procured 30 sets of smaller sized bowls to facilitate and encourage students to take up the sport.”

A re-elected Turnbull Coalition Government will provide the Australian Academy of Martial Arts Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Club (AAMA) with $185,000 in funding to go towards the construction of a new building to be used as a dojo and for additional health and wellness classes.

Making the announcement today at Mt Gravatt Hawks Soccer Club, Liberal National Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said he was pleased to be able to make the commitment to the long-running club.

“The Australian Academy of Martial Arts has been the leading teacher of karate to children and adults in the Mount Gravatt, Wishart and Mansfield areas for over 40 years,” Mr Vasta said.

“I’m proud to be able to commit this funding today, which will help the club expand its programmes and preserve the Academy’s heritage in the community.”

AAMA Committee member, Glenn Weiss welcomed the funding announcement.

“This will be a multi-purpose facility that will provide the club with twice as much space, which will allow us to offer more options to parents as well as students,” Mr Weiss said.

“With this additional space we intend to offer regular classes related to health and wellness as well as healthy aging programs.”

“We have recognised the need for healthy aging programs for older people through consultation with the community. We are now planning to broaden our focus in this area through collaboration with other community groups.”

A re-elected Turnbull Government will provide community groups across Bonner with $160,000 towards installing solar and battery storage to help the local community play their part in reducing Australia’s emissions and directly benefit from lower electricity bills.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta is delivering new solar infrastructure for community organisations such as Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed, the Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association and Wynnum Baptist Church.

“The expanded Solar Communities program will provide funding for groups across Australia to install rooftop solar PV, solar hot water and battery storage systems for community owned buildings. For community groups in Bonner, $100,000 will be available in addition to $60,000 already committed,” Mr Vasta said.

“It’s been a pleasure to introduce Minister for Environment the Hon. Greg Hunt MP to the Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed and the Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association today,” Vasta said.

The Turnbull Government is investing in the environment and recognises the important role community and household solar plays in Australia’s transition to a low emissions economy with an increase in renewable energy.

“Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed estimates its new 10KW solar system could save over $6,000 per year in lower electricity costs,” Mr Vasta said.

“Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association’s 17.94KW solar PV system could save $7,500 in lower electricity costs per annum and around 21 tonnes of emissions per annum,” Minister Hunt said.

Around 350 community groups such as churches, sporting clubs and scouts will benefit from the expanded solar communities program, with $5 million available.

“Unlike Labor, the Coalition Government is committed to tackling climate change without hiking up power bills for community groups, families and businesses and putting Australian jobs at risk,” Minister Hunt said.

“Bill Shorten’s carbon tax is a tax on electricity and will hurt community groups across Australia. By contrast, we are committed to supporting community groups with our expanded Solar Communities program.”

“Under the Turnbull Government, half a million households and businesses have already made the switch to solar,” Minister Hunt said.

Australia has the highest proportion of households with solar panels in the world – about 15 per cent. 

The Australian Government’s Renewable Energy Target provides for an average rebate for a solar system of $3,000, or about 30 per cent of the installation cost. 

“We have also established a $250 million Community Housing Program to help lower costs for low income families and residents through the construction of up to 1,000 new energy efficiency homes.”

“We have established a $1 billion Clean Energy Innovation Fund to support the latest technology which will transform our renewable energy use over the coming decade.”

“Only the Coalition is committed to tackling climate change without a job-destroying carbon tax,” Minister Hunt said.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta joined the local community on the weekend for the opening of the Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed Extension, a jointly funded project between the Australian Government and the Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed.

“The project will provide a venue for the residents of Mt Gravatt and neighbouring regions to come together to socialise as well as improve their skills in activities such as woodworking, woodturning, carpentry and welding,” Mr Vasta said.

“Men’s Sheds facilitate community engagement, offer a place for people to learn new skills and provide an important social support network for its members.”

Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed President Murray Rogash said he was delighted with the assistance the group had received at a Federal, state and local government level.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have received the support enabling us to get to this stage,” Mr Rogash said.

“The Men’s Shed now provides 19 different activities for 260 members from 43 different postcodes.”

Project works included:

• Construction of a 85m2 extension to the existing Men’s Shed for use as a recreational space;
• Construction of new 110m2concrete slab and veranda;
• Installation of new veranda roofing;.
• Internal and external painting of the extension;
• 2m2expansion to the existing kitchen; and
• Fit-out of the kitchen.

Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs said the opening of the extension was yet another example that Ross Vasta and the Australian Government were delivering better community infrastructure in Bonner.

The Australian Government provided $100,000 for the project through its $350 million Community Development Grants Programme, while the Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed contributed $40,000.