Dubbo mayor Ben Shields has thrown down the gauntlet to the state government to fully pay for a new cycle facility in the city, admitting there’s a $6 million shortfall in funding for the project.
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A working party has been formed to help make the project a reality after the government announced last August that Dubbo Cycle Club would get a new facility and the playing surface of No.1 Oval would be extended to the fenceline.
The project was given $8 million in state funds, with about $4 million allocated for the new cycle facility, which it was subsequently decided would be located near Charles Sturt University.
Speaking on ABC Radio, Mr Shields said he would be ‘disappointed’ if the NSW government didn’t stump up the additional funds to make the project happen
“About $3.6 million has been allocated as part of that $8 million to move the cycle track however we’ve got a funding shortfall, I’m going to be very, very honest about that,” he said.
“We’re looking at an extra $6 million to get the appropriate facilities up and running elsewhere within the city.
“I’m going to be quite disappointed if there is a big announcement for a huge redevelopment and a significant sporting club is kicked out effectively of their grounds and only given a pittance of what they really need to get up and running.
“We’ve certainly got a lot of work to do when it comes to funding this facility and at the moment we’re missing quite a few million dollars.”
Dubbo Cycle Club issued a press release on Thursday morning, outlining how they had four key elements as part of their new facility – those being a 400m flat track, a 1000m criterium track, undercover seating and a clubhouse.
The release indicated the funding currently allocated would not cover the cost of such a facility.
Dubbo Regional Council has already been granted an extension to the timeline to make the project a reality, and Mr Shields concedes
“Hopefully we can chew gum and walk at the same time. It was made very, very clear to us by the local member that if we don’t get a wriggle on the money is just going to be taken away, whether we like it or not,” he said.
“They are very, very keen to get bulldozers in and show that they’re doing work before the state election.
“But it’s better to get it right than just to rush something through for the sake of a state election.
“All I’m asking for is to finish the job, allocate the appropriate amount of money.”
Member for Dubbo Troy Grant, who made the announcement back in August, didn’t hear the radio interview and wouldn’t comment on its content but told the Daily Liberal “it would be nice to hear from the mayor directly, whether it be by phone, email or in person, rather than hear about it through the media because of his unproductive grandstanding”.
