MILDURA Council will look at any funding stream available to complete the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct (MSRSP), sport and recreation councillor Glenn Milne says.
The Victorian Government this week announced a $100 million package to support community sporting clubs and associations, including up to $10 million for shovel-ready projects.
Stage 1 of the MSRSP is already under way and the council has strongly advocated for $10 million from the Victorian Government to fund Stage 2 of the project.
The government has so far contributed $3 million towards the first stage, with $17.5 million from the Federal Government and $11.1 million from the council.
The government confirmed that $68 million from the government’s $2.7 billion Building Works stimulus package would be allocated to fast-track community sports infrastructure projects across Victoria.
Cr Milne said the council would continue to look at whatever funding streams became available to complete the project.
“Council would be looking at anything that looks like it will fit that because it’s a project that we just need to finish,” Cr Milne said.
“So if the government has got money on offer, then this is an opportunity for them to come up with it.”
Once completed, the MSRSP was expected to inject an estimated $77.5 million into the local economy and create 219 jobs during construction.
“When you look at what that project actually entails — including building the second oval — a lot of that work can quite easily be sourced locally and that is really important,” Cr Milne said.
“It is a project that will keep jobs in our local area so it really ticks all of those boxes and it would be a good one to see up and funded.”
From Monday, local councils and alpine resort boards, with the support of local sporting bodies, will be able to apply for funding of up to $10 million for shovel-ready projects, while the $40 million community club and association program aims to help associations, leagues and clubs maintain their viability and connection to their communities, assist the return to training and play, and support members.
