The future of the Dubbo Sport and Wellness Hub is secure, with the NSW Government filling a funding shortfall to ensure stage one of the project becomes a reality.
As part of its drought strategy to keep regional communities thriving, the NSW Government is giving the green light to infrastructure investment that will provide work for local tradespeople, deliver improved amenities for communities and inject dollars into drought-affected towns.
In the state’s Central West with the NSW Government Community Cabinet, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro today joined with Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders to announce $10 million from the Drought Stimulus Package to bring the hub, to be located on land at Charles Sturt University, to life.
“The funding will be spent on roads, internet, water and electricity connections, as well as other infrastructure to deliver a first-rate Western Institute of Sport which will have an indoor sports facility at its heart,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The drought has left its mark on many local communities and this funding will help to bring new opportunities for local sporting clubs and deliver much-needed work for local tradies and businesses.
“For a range of reasons this project has changed shape since the initial announcement was made back in 2018 but we realised it was important to Dubbo and the wider western region, and this funding will ensure the first stage goes ahead.
The funding builds on a $9.3 million investment from the NSW Liberals and Nationals in Government through the Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund, as well as $4 million in state funding to NSW PCYC for their component of the project.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said work on the Dubbo Sports Hub is expected to commence in the coming months, providing immediate economic stimulus for locals.
“There’s no doubt that there has been some angst in the community about this project and whether it would proceed, but this funding means that every cent of the $23.3 million that is available for the stadium component has been provided by the NSW Government,” Mr Saunders said.
“I’ve been in constant contact with the Deputy Premier about this project and how important is, and I thank him for recognising the importance of this project to Dubbo and the surrounding regions
“This funding will keep people in work by putting dollars into pay packets for tradies, suppliers and other workers and in turn flow money through local businesses such as cafes, retail stores and local services,” Mr Saunders said.
The Dubbo Sports Hub is a collaboration between the NSW Government, Charles Sturt University, NSW PCYC, Dubbo Regional Council and NSW sports clubs to create exciting new opportunities for people living in the Central West.
More than $1.8 billion has also been made available through the NSW Government’s Emergency Drought Relief Package and regional water security is a focus of the $1 billion Safe and Secure Water program and the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund.
“It’s important that families, farmers and businesses know what drought support is available and that the NSW Liberals and Nationals are committed to ensuring regional cities like Dubbo remain great places to live,” Mr Barilaro said.
For further information go to http://www.nsw.gov.au/droughtstimuluspackage