25.4 C
Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Labor goes into bat for Ballina sports centre

Latest News

Blue skies for Bluesfest day 1

If yesterday at Bluesfest was anything to go by, it's going to be an incredible event and with the weather holding, (so far) the Easter weekend's future is looking bright.

Other News

Seize the Decade report outlines benefits of renewables

The Climate Council says many more Australian families can directly benefit from rooftop solar and batteries under a new plan that spells out how we can electrify the nation and cut climate pollution this decade.

A seasoned bard

Guy Kachel had an idyllic entry to the world of music. Born in Tamworth, he was raised on the banks of the Peel River. The landscape was a fertile ground for his imagination. Seeing this rustic world change, as Tamworth developed into an inland city and friends grew to sometimes troubled adulthoods, provided insights for the artistry that later powered his career as a performer.

Premier yet to respond to Albo’s offer of disaster recovery funds

Northern Rivers community groups are renewing calls for the NSW premier to formally ask the Commonwealth to fully fund the region's 2022 disaster recovery.

State of confusion

If any of you watched Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, you would know that it was a...

Urgent appeal

At last Thursday’s Byron Council meeting a long and dedicated campaign to save rail tracks and restore trains in...

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.

Labor leader Luke Foley with Ballina candidate Paul Spooner. (File pic)
Labor leader Luke Foley with Ballina candidate Paul Spooner. (File pic)

Darren Coyne

The battle for Ballina has stepped up a notch with the Labor party promising to make land available for a world-class indoor sports centre in the town.

The commitment follows promises from the Greens to actually build the proposed $15 million centre, which sporting groups have been lobbying the state government for for two decades.

Outgoing Ballina MP Don Page.
Outgoing Ballina MP Don Page.

The National Party, whose retiring member Don Page holds the seat, has so far given no commitment, although the Baird government in November last year voted against a Greens motion in favour of building the centre.

The sports centre is seen as a key election issue, along with coal seam gas mining, and has the potential to end the National party’s long hold on the electorate.

Labor candidate Paul Spooner and shadow minister for regional infrastructure Mick Veitch, made the pledge yesterday.

They said Labor would provide a long-term lease at a nominal cost for the Old Council Deport site in Tamarind Drive.

The commitment follows extensive lobbying from the Ballina Basketball Association, Ballina Regional Indoor Sporting Association, Southern Cross School and Ballina Shire Council.

Mr Spooner said the commitment was a win for everyone who had campaigned for the centre, and he took a swipe at retiring MP Don Page.

‘Under the Nationals we’ve waited so long. Don Page was local government minister in this government and couldn’t find a solution for the Ballina Sports Centre. If elected I will be an effective voice for the Ballina community,’ he said.

‘The local community is ready for a new sports centre, local sporting groups are ready, and the local council is prepared – but they need the land.

‘I’m delighted to confirm that a Foley Labor Government will step in to ensure we can go ahead and get this done.’

The Labor announcement follows an earlier Greens commitment to not only donate the land, but also build the centre.

Greens candidate for Ballina, Tamara Smith.
Greens candidate for Ballina, Tamara Smith.

Ballina’s Greens candidate Tamara Smith has been lobbying for the site since November last year, resulting in a notion of motion in state parliament from Greens MP Jeremy Buckinham.

Mr Buckingham said Ballina had waited too long, adding that a new centre could also support the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast as a host venue.

Independent candidate, Ballina shire councillor Jeff Johnson has also been vocal in his support for the centre.

Cr Johnson said the lack of certainty surrounding the location for the Ballina indoor sports centre had stalled the project.

‘Council has allocated the money for the design and development application process, but has been unable to proceed further,’ he said.

‘The depot site would be ideal as it’s a large parcel of land that is no longer being utilised by the NSW Government.’

Meanwhile, Labor announced yesterday that the proposed lease would be for the future construction of a multi-use indoor facility that could host sporting activities and competitions, functions and regional events.

Design possibilities include permanent mezzanine seating, a catered function centre with bar, gym, child minding areas and specialist allied health consulting offices.

All NSW Election 2015 Articles

More NSW Election 2015 news and articles


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

1 COMMENT

  1. Ballina Council already uses the Old Depot site as a storage for its road works materials and signs. What the community is asking for is a 4 court indoor sports centre not simply a lease on land that the Council already uses.

    $10 million would deliver a 4 court sports centre and fix up the entrance to this site to avoid any traffic congestion. I’m calling on Labor and the Nationals to pledge this money. Ballina is the largest town in the Northern Rivers not to have an indoor sports centre. The community and Council have had it on there to do list for over a decade. Now is the time to get it build.

    Jeff Johnson
    Independent Candidate for Ballina

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Retired local professor launches book on grief

A leading international thinker and researcher in the development of innovative sport coaching and physical education teaching has returned home to Byron Bay and is launching his first non-academic book, 'Grief and Growth', on April 4 at The Book Room in Byron. 

Resilient Lismore’s ‘Repair to Return’ funding

On the eve of the second anniversary of the second devastating flood in 2022, Resilient Lismore has welcomed the finalisation of its funding deed with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, which will enable the continuation of its ‘Repair to Return’ program.

Editorial – Joyous propaganda! 

The NSW Labor government marked its one year in office this week with a jubilant statement of achievements issued from Macquarie Street HQ.

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.