TODAY I am launching a campaign for the Victorian Government to even the score by providing the $10 million needed to complete the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct (MSRSP) in full.
I made a strong pitch to the government for the funding to be provided in last year’s budget and, when that did not eventuate, made MSRSP my No.1 priority for 2020.
My resolve to obtain that funding has not wavered and, if anything, has grown stronger.
The Federal Government has allocated $17.5 million and Mildura Rural City Council $11 million – with the Victorian Government’s contribution sitting at $3 million – so it’s clear the state needs to step up to the plate with the $10 million shortfall.
The MSRSP is one of the biggest infrastructure projects the Mildura electorate has had in recent memory and there’s no doubt it is exciting.
This week I had the chance to get a close-up look at the construction site and it’s going to be an amazing facility – which is exactly why the Victorian Government needs to get behind it.
It will give us a sporting precinct with many benefits.
We will be able to attract national sporting events to the city. Just imagine how amazing it would be to have an AFL pre-season game in Mildura – the town would be abuzz.
MSRSP would give us the ability to host national, state and regional sporting events, which would have huge economic benefits by bringing people to Mildura to spend on accommodation, food, fuel, attractions – the flow-on effects for a wide range of businesses would be huge.
Not only that, the precinct will also be a hub for local teams and associations across a variety of sports.
Sporting hubs like MSRSP have huge social benefits, not only through health and fitness, but by giving us a place to socialise and bring people together.
More than 200 jobs are being created through the construction phase and there will be a number of ongoing jobs at the precinct as well.
So, as we head towards the State Budget in October, the message to Premier Daniel Andrews and the Victorian Government is clear – it’s game on for MSRSP funding.
The ball’s in his court.
Ali Cupper is the Member for Mildura
