Federal shadow sports minister briefed on macedon ranges regional sports precinct

The Shadow Minister for Sport, Senator Don Farrell, today joined the Member for McEwen, Rob Mitchell MP, State Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas MP and the Macedon Ranges Shire Council at the site of the proposed Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct in New Gisborne.

At the meeting, Council provided a briefing to the Shadow Minister on their bid for federal government funding for the precinct.

Attending the briefing were also representatives from the New Gisborne Regional Sports Field and the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Hub Projects.

Earlier this month the Andrews Labor Government promised that if re-elected it would commit $5.6 million towards the first stage of the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct.

In 2017, the Federal Government funded a Regional Sports Hub Feasibility Study, forming the indoor component of the precinct, but rejected the Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s application for funding in a recent round of the federal Building Better Regions Fund.

While Federal Liberal Government MPs have been busy fighting amongst themselves in Canberra, the Andrews Labor Government is getting on with committing funds to help deliver this vital project.

As part of the Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Precinct plan, the work will see a new grass oval, a synthetic surface sports field accommodating football, soccer and cricket, a pavilion, new tennis and netball courts, outdoor gym equipment and play spaces, barbeques and a track for walking, cycling and running.

The Precinct will be spread across two connecting sites in New Gisborne at the corner of Barringo Road and Hamilton Road, but will benefit communities from across the region.

The precinct will meet the growing demand for both indoor and outdoor sports in the Macedon Ranges.

Quotes attributable to the Member for McEwen, Rob Mitchell
"It is an absolute pleasure to invite Shadow Minister Don Farrell to Gisborne today – while the Abbott/Turnbull/Morrison government fight amongst itself, the Labor Party is focused on moving Australia forward."

"It’s incredibly disappointing that this project, so supported by the community and all levels of government, was completely ignored during the recent funding announcements via the Building Better Regions Fund – yet again, our community is disregarded".

Quotes attributable to the Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
"The Andrews Labor Government and the Macedon Ranges Shire have both played their part in getting this project off the ground – it’s now time for the Federal Liberal Government to come to the party."

"Let’s hope when Senator James Paterson visits next week he brings his cheque book."