Recreation facility holds potential to drive population growth

Tuesday January 22, 2019

Published by The Border Watch 

 

THE $39.1m Mount Gambier Community and Recreation Hub will provide a slew of benefits for the city and potentially drive population growth, according to Regional Development Minister Tim Whetstone. 

Mr Whetstone joined civic leaders and community members at the Mount Gambier Aquatics Centre on Thursday evening to announce a $10m State Government contribution towards the proposed multimillion dollar facility. 

“The $10m funding commitment from the Marshall Liberal Government means a long-awaited Community and Recreation Hub for Mount Gambier is a step closer,” Mr Whetstone said. 

“The project would provide both economic and social benefits for Mount Gambier and hopefully drive population growth in our state’s largest regional city. 

“For 16 years under the former Labor Government South Australian regions were ignored, this State Government will not make the same mistake. 

“We have committed $150m to our 10-year Regional Growth Fund which was established to unlock new economic activity. 

“The Regional Growth Fund will provide $5m per year in competitive grants as well as $10m to commit to strategic regional growth projects such as the Mount Gambier Community and Recreation Hub.” 

Mr Whetstone said the funding will be delivered to the city over three years. 

The State Government’s $10m pledge means council is $5m short of the projected tripartite funding agreement between the Federal Government. 

Grant District Council discussed a funding allocation at last night’s meeting. 

City Council is likely to decide on contributing an additional $5m at a special council meeting held tomorrow night, where council will endorse the full business case to the Federal Government for the Regional Growth Fund application.