Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King today called on the Turnbull government to provide funding for Ballarat’s new Indoor Regional Sports Centre through the Building Better Regions Fund.
“The Ballarat Sports and Events Centre project will cement Ballarat as a regional hub for sport of all levels, providing facilities and resources to communities across western Victoria”, Ms King said.
“The project would see first class netball, badminton and basketball facilities for our community, supporting over 7,000 people who play those sports on a weekly bases, a number that is expected to almost double over the next two decades.”
“Anyone who has played sport in these centres or watched their children play there knows that they are aging and sub-standard.”
“The value of this project to our local community has already been recognised with financial support from state and local government, alongside extensive community involvement.”
This is the fourth time this project has sought federal funding. The first three attempts were through the National Stronger Regions Fund, a body which has provided a total of $0 to projects within Ballarat electorate.
This is the final chance for federal funding to be provided through these schemes, as the matching funding from state and local government will soon be used and therefore be unable to be counted in any future applications.
“If this funding is not provided not only will Ballarat residents face increasing challenges to leading active lives, but our community will fall even further behind other centres such as Bendigo and Geelong when it comes to capacity for hosting regional events”, Ms King said.
“The Turnbull government needs to commit to building better and stronger regions throughout all of Australia, not just in Liberal and National held electorates.”
April 4th 2017