A $44.5 million sporting hub sounds like a great idea.
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A 10-court multi-sport facility suitable for netball, basketball, gymnastics, indoor hockey and cricket training, tennis courts and space suitable for rugby league and rugby union would be great for Dubbo.
It sounds fantastic; the plans look fantastic, but the waiting game continues.
When the plans were announced in September 2018, the sporting precinct was tipped to put Dubbo on the sporting map globally.
The NSW government put aside $9.3 million for the project with the PCYC also contributing $4 million in funding (which had initially come from the government).
Then all went quiet.
In November 2019, 14 months after the initial announcement, the state government gave another $10 million towards the project.
The $10 million came from a Drought Stimulus Package which was designed to provide work to tradespeople and inject dollars into drought-affected towns.
And then all went quiet again.
Every few months something comes up with the promise the facility will happen, but then ... crickets.
In the background Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders said 'multiple meetings have taken place with stakeholders involved'.
However the federal government has knocked back requests to help pay for the facility and as we understand further state funding will only be available if the federal money came through.
And Dubbo Regional Council had pledged to contribute up to $1 million towards the project through 'indirect contributions'.
But now council has take a step back from the project.
At Monday nights meeting councillors voted to 'formally withdraw from the Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund agreement', and will now only provide advice.
What will be next?
Things seem to be happening, even if it is slower than a snails pace. We will wait and see if the politicians are turning that first sod in 11 months time.
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