Shadow Minister for Sport, Ms Lynda Voltz MLC, has condemned the Berejiklian Government’s lack of foresight by excluding Newcastle City Council sporting facilities from the Regional Sports Infrastructure Grants.
Not only did the Newcastle Local Government Area miss out on infrastructure funding in the NSW Budget, now even their important sporting infrastructure is missing out.
State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, said it was inconceivable that pools such as Beresfield, which are desperately in need of upgrading and sit in an important growth corridor, are missing out, while pools in areas such as Gosford and Wyong could apply for funding.
Shadow Minister for Sport, Ms Lynda Voltz MLC and State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, this week visited the Beresfield Pool which is situated in the important growth corridor.
Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Sport, Lynda Voltz
“Swimming is the largest sport in Australia with thirty percent of children swimming; double the number of the next biggest sport, football.”
“Importantly with the tragedy of so many deaths last year from drownings it is more important than ever to ensure children are taught to swim.”
“If the NSW Government continue to ignore Newcastle under the Regional Sport Infrastructure Grants, then it is time for them to be more transparent on the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“The sporting infrastructure grants are for projects over $1million, and the current 50 metre pool is leaking, has no disabled access and is desperately in need of an upgrade.”
“At the moment there is no clear process of where and what money is being doled out. It is high time communities such as Beresfield were allowed to apply for grants for large sporting infrastructure. The Government cannot continue to exclude us.”