The Rudd Labor Government today announced $7.4 million towards aHome of Football for the Illawarra, building on its pledge to support strong, prosperous regional and local communities.
Local MPs Stephen Jones and Sharon Bird welcomed the news that the Federal Government funding of $7.4 million to kick-start work on a long awaited new Home of Football for the Illawarra.
This announcement is terrific news for the Illawarra and for football (soccer) which is the most popular sport in the region, Mr Jones said.
I am particularly delighted that the new Home of Football will be located in the new growth area of West Dapto where it will provide an important social benefit to the local community and a lasting legacy for sport in this region.
Minister for Regional Development and Member for Cunningham Sharon Bird said today that many people in the community had spoken to her regarding the proposal for a new football facility in the Illawarra.
I know that this significant funding boost will be very welcome by the players, families and teams across our region, Sharon Bird said.
This proposed new $14.5 million sporting facility, to be located on a greenfields site in West Dapto owned by Wollongong City Council, will provide a permanent home for the most popular sport in the Illawarra.
The Home of Football will provide a base for two premier football teams, Wollongong Wolves and the womens team, Illawarra Stingrays and have the ability to host large-scale regional, state and national tournaments catering to a diverse range of players.
The funds for the project are from the latest round of the Regional Development Australia Fund. Funding for this project is already included in the budget. The Minister for Regional Development, Sharon Bird, said this project would deliver great benefits to the community, and help build a stronger future.
Federal Labor is serious about investing in regional and local communities and helping them to meet future challenges and opportunities, Ms Bird said.
These projects come on top of the Rudd Labor Governments record investment in regional Australia, including the National Plan for School Improvement, the National Broadband Network and the Roads to Recovery program all of which are helping to secure the future of regional communities. Stephen Jones said.
