Wednesday, 14 May 2025

Shepparton sports and events centre

Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (18:12): (1621) My adjournment matter is for the Treasurer, and the action that I seek is that the Treasurer commit a minimum of $8 million in funding towards a new Shepparton sports and events centre in the 2025–26 state budget. A new sports and events centre for Shepparton is long overdue. Greater Shepparton’s sports stadium is the home of more than 150 local sporting clubs with an estimated 15,000 members, and every night of the week it is packed with kids and adults having fun and staying fit, playing a wide variety of sports. But the stadium that was built in the 1970s is simply no longer fit for purpose, and it is not compliant with disability access standards. The ageing facility is also falling behind community expectations and desperately needs to be replaced. First, it is not large enough to cater for existing local demand, and many people who would like to practise and play at the stadium are turned away because there is not enough room. Second, it is not compliant with the standards set for several major sporting codes, like basketball, badminton and netball, which prevents it from hosting national and international tournaments that would bring visitors to Shepparton.

The Shepparton Sports City precinct is home to world-class facilities for a range of sports, and Shepparton regularly hosts major sporting events, like the BMX racing world championships. But when it comes to basketball and other indoor sports, the condition of the stadium means Shepparton is often overlooked as a venue. Our young people deserve a bigger and better facility, but the region also needs a stadium that can attract major events and exhibition games with top athletes to our city.

Greater Shepparton City Council have recognised that the previous design was too costly to win government funding in the present economic environment and have made the wise decision to redesign the sports and events centre. After extensive community consultation, council arrived at a new design for a staged redevelopment of the stadium, which includes construction of four basketball and netball courts that will be compliant with national standards; a show court with seating for up to 3000 people; new change rooms for players and officials that will meet standards for elite competitions; administration and function rooms to encourage multipurpose use by a range of users; a new entry lobby, reception area and cafe; extra car parking; paths for cyclists and pedestrians; and a bus stop drop-off to increase access. It will also include a roof that does not leak. This project is a top priority for the Shepparton city council, as it would cater to the ever-increasing demand for sports facilities for local residents and enable the city to host major events and tournaments that bring visitors to the city and boost the local economy. It has been identified as Basketball Victoria’s number one priority for infrastructure investment in regional Victoria, and the government must now step up and fund the stadium.