Victorian Government pushed on Mildura sport precinct funds

VICTORIA’S Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula has been told to “put his money where his mouth is” and hand over the $10 million needed to complete the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct (MSRSP) project.

Liberal Party Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell this week sought the State Government commitment that would complete of Stage 2 of the project.

The majority of funding for Stage 1 of the new precinct has come from the Mildura Council ($9.479 million) as well as the Federal Government ($17.5 million), while the Victorian Government has contributed only $3 million.

Ms Lovell said that upon full completion, the MSRSP would deliver world-class sporting facilities for Sunraysia including a six-court indoor stadium, an AFL standard sporting oval, a new cafe and changerooms, dedicated squash courts and a secondary sporting oval.

She said the the State Government’s failure to invest in the sports precinct had forced the Mildura Council to contribute an additional $1.48 million to the project.

“The continued ignoring of the Mildura South Sporting Precinct project by the Andrews Labor Government has seen the ratepayers of Mildura Council forced to put their hands into their pockets again to help fund the project,” Ms Lovell said.

“Over six months ago the Minister called the case for State funding for the project compelling but he needs to put his money where his mouth is and provide the $10 million required to complete the project.”

During a visit to Mildura in September last year, Mr Pakula said he would be a “passionate advocate” for precinct funding.

He said the council and stakeholders had identified the $10 million funding shortfall and described their case as “compelling”.

“Their view is that if we’re going to do it, let’s do it right the first time,” he said.

“I’m very understanding of their point of view – I think their point of view makes a great deal of sense and I’ve made it clear I’ll be a passionate advocate of what they’re trying to achieve within government.”

He acknowledged Mildura Council had already made a substantial contribution.