A big summer of cricket is building at Mount Clear, Ballarat.

Five new cricket nets at the Mount Clear Recreation Reserve were officially unveiled in recent days, and are now ready to be used by the club and community.

The City of Ballarat contributed approximately $561,000 to the Mount Clear Cricket Club Community Cricket Nets Project, while the State Government added a further $100,000.

The project also included the installation of new LED lighting on the adjacent netball court.

Two of the five nets are dedicated to the community for year-round use, while the cricket club will use the remaining three.

City of Ballarat councillor Ben Taylor said the new nets would greatly benefit the Mount Clear Cricket Club, which boasts more than 200 players, including a rapidly expanding female and gender diverse pathway program.

“We are very proud to be able to keep rolling out these incredible cricket nets throughout Ballarat,” he said.

“We have seen some fantastic nets rolled out at Doug Dean Reserve in Delacombe, Alfredton Recreation Reserve and Russell Square in East Ballarat in the recent years, now Mount Clear Recreation Reserve is home to these fantastic facilities.”

The new cricket nets completion followed the opening of the new scoreboard at Mount Clear Recreation Reserve in June 2023, the result of another partnership between the City of Ballarat and the state government.

Member for Eureka, Michaela Settle said the new nets would attract even more cricketers to Mount Clear.

“Mount Clear is an incredible community that’s about to have an even more incredible cricket training facility that hits for six,” she said.

“The new facility will bring even more young aspiring cricketers into the mix, strengthening both the sport and the community for years to come.”

Mount Clear Cricket Club enjoyed a successful 2023/24 season in the Ballarat Cricket Association with three of its four senior grades making the finals.

Mount Clear Cricket Club president, Andrew Vandebyl said the club was thrilled with the opening of the new nets.

“This upgrade will provide the best possible facilities for our players and the Mt Clear community to train, improve, and enjoy the game,” he said.

Words & Image: Supplied

Detectives from the Western Region Crime Squad have charged a man after two police vehicles were allegedly rammed in Mount Clear last week.

Officers observed a silver Ford Falcon drive into a car wash facility on Geelong Road about 8.50pm last Wednesday, April 17.

Checks revealed the Ford was allegedly stolen from Torquay in September 2023 and was bearing false registration plates.

Two police vehicles parked in front and behind the Ford with their lights and sirens activated, when the driver of the Ford allegedly began ramming both stationary police vehicles.

Two offenders were arrested at the scene and the driver fled on foot but was arrested nearby.

A homemade shot gun was located inside the driver’s side door and a fold-out knife was located on his person.

Three police members received minor injuries as a result of the collision.

The alleged driver, a 20-year-old Wendouree man, was transported to hospital with minor injuries and has since been charged with aggravated intentional exposure of police officer to risk by driving, intentional exposure of police officer to risk by driving, theft of motor vehicle as well as other driving, firearms and drug offences.

He has been remanded to face Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on 18 July.

A 43-year-old Eureka man and a 35-year-old Eureka woman have been released pending further enquiries.