Mildura South sporting precinct draft business case released
Published on 04 August 2017
One of the largest and most eagerly awaited sporting venues ever established in the region has moved a step closer to reality following the release of the draft business case for the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct (MSRSP) today.
The draft document is now open for public comment and outlines plans for the $36 million project on the corner of Sixteenth Street and Deakin Avenue.
It includes a six-court indoor stadium, squash courts, a sports administration hub, change rooms, function rooms, café and alfresco area and two outdoor sporting fields – one of which will be a premier oval capable of hosting regional, state and national-level matches.
The venue will also feature the flexibility to host a wide variety of major indoor events with a 3000-seat capacity for conventions, performances and other functions.
The draft business case was developed in consultation with a stakeholder reference group which included key tenants of the new facility.
Mildura Rural City Councillor for Recreation and Sport Mark Eckel encouraged the community, including the many sporting groups in the region, to provide their feedback.
“This document is the result of many years of planning, including working closely with key stakeholder groups and industry specialists,” Cr Eckel said.
“It’s a project that was identified as a priority in the 2009 Indoor Sports Stadium Strategy, and once completed, will provide a much-needed premier sporting facility which will allow our indoor sporting groups to grow.”
Cr Eckel said that while the MSRSP will address the shortage of indoor sporting facilities in the district, importantly, it would provide a host of broader benefits to the region, through the creation of additional jobs, both during construction and operation.
“Once completed, this venue will be able to host major events that attract players and teams from across the country, creating jobs and injecting valuable dollars into our local economy through spending in accommodation, hospitality and other sectors,” he said.
The $36 million facility is expected to create up to 229 jobs (with 10 jobs operational), and generate more than $76 million in economic benefits for the region through increased employment and flow-on benefits to other sectors.
Cr Eckel said the MSRSP would fill a significant gap in the region’s suite of sporting and recreation facilities.
“This will be the first large-scale investment in this type of facility in our region in almost 20 years,” he said.
“Most other regional centres have facilities of this type - we’ve recently seen areas such as Ballarat receive significant government funding for their own indoor sporting facilities - and we’re inviting our State and Commonwealth governments to look at the merits of our facility as well.”
Cr Eckel stressed the need for the community to look at the draft business case during the 28-day public exhibition period and provide their feedback.
“To ensure this fantastic venue meets the needs and expectations of the community, it’s vital we hear from as many people as possible,” Cr Eckel said.
“This engagement process will ensure we have a project that meets our community’s needs now and into the future and help us attract much needed government funding to make this venue a reality.”
Cr Eckel added that the project would also form an integral role in the future of one of the district’s major growth corridors.
“This precinct will not only deliver premier sporting facilities for the broader region, but also satisfy the demand for open space for passive leisure activities as part of the projected population growth in the Mildura South area,” he said.
“Planning for this precinct has included the development and consideration of associated plans and strategies for the future development of Mildura South, which has taken considerable time and effort, but necessary for such a project to be successful.”
Copies of the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct draft business case are available from the Have Your Say section of Council’s website at www.mildura.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay and Council’s Madden and Deakin Avenue Service Centres in Mildura and the Ouyen Service Centre.
Feedback must be received by 5pm on Thursday, 31 August.
For information contact Council’s Recreation Development Coordinator on (03) 5018 8100.
Media enquiries
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au