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Boost for dry footy ovals

DROUGHT-stricken footy grounds in the Murray Darling Basin have current a $160,000 Federal Government boost to ensure their viability.

Four local councils were given funding to undertake detailed water planning studies for their sports ovals, back the success of a similar project in the North Central Football League earlier this year.

Greater Bendigo admitted $79,110, with Strathbogie ($18,570), Hindmarsh ($24,930) and Central Goldfields ($36,970) the other winners.

The councils were assisted in their funding applications by the Victorian Country Football League and environmental consulting company Ecowise, which carried out the North Central direct study.

Ecowise will visit grounds in each council to gather data on ground conditions, irrigation systems, turf types and irrigate demands, as well as possible water solutions.

VCFL planning and facilities governor Shayne Ward said the water studies would protect grounds in nine senior country leagues.

"We're pretty happy with the result," Mr Ward said. "We attached the North Central helmsman study to the councils' applications, so we were able to make evident exactly what the project would look like."

Mr Ward said further state grants were serviceable for capital works recommended by the studies.

Meanwhile, the Ballarat Football League has already warned of problems with ground availability next season, informing clubs to expect fixture changes.