Council welcomes $7.5m in Building Better Regions Funding for MFR

Published on 06 March 2019

Council’s key strategy for our region’s future, Mildura Future Ready (MFR), has progressed another step following a $7.5 million funding injection from the Australian Government this week.

The Building Better Regions Funding will help progress the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct (MSRSP), and brings the total amount of government funding secured since MFR was launched just 18 months ago to more than $20 million.

MFR is Council’s pivotal funding and advocacy strategy, which aims to transform our region’s economic and social wellbeing through four major projects:

• Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct
• Mildura Motorsports and Community Precinct
• Riverfront Redevelopment Stage 2
• Advocate for the return of Mildura’s passenger rail service

Councillor for Recreation and Sport Glenn Milne welcomed this week’s funding, which adds to the $10 million already secured through Council’s first Building Better Regions application last year, and $3 million in Victorian Better Indoor Stadiums funding.

“Together with our existing contribution of $8 million, this additional funding means we’re now able to complete about 80 per cent of the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct,” Cr Milne said.

“While this is great progress, we’re not resting on our laurels and are continuing to work with the Victorian Government to secure the remaining funding required to complete this exciting project.”

Before this week’s funding announcement, Council was already in a position to complete the following components of the MSRSP:

• six-court indoor stadium
• café/kiosk and lounge area
• change rooms and associated amenities
• medical rooms
• front of house, foyer and reception
• administration officers, meeting room and storage area
• car parking
• landscaping and walkways

Council will now investigate how to maximise the additional $7.5 million announced today as part of the first phase of works. This is likely to include delivery of a premier outdoor sporting field able to host events such as pre-season AFL matches and Big Bash cricket.

Mildura Mayor Simon Clemence highlighted the support of the Australian Government in progressing MFR.

“The Australian Government has been a major supporter of MFR and now provided more than $17 million through its Building Better Regions Fund,” Cr Clemence said.

“This has enabled us to make a start this year on the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct, which has been a long-awaited facility, particularly for our indoor sporting groups.

“But MFR is about much more than providing sporting facilities, as important as they are for our residents’ physical and social wellbeing.

“MFR is about transforming our community by providing additional opportunities for employment, driving economic growth, and ultimately improving the economic and social wellbeing of the people who live in our municipality.”

Media enquiries 
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689 
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au