Tuesday, 17 March 2026

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:08): (1262) My question is to the Minister for Regional Development. Minister, following a commitment from the Premier in 2023 for a new community sporting facility at Miners Rest near Ballarat, which included a competition-grade oval, sport pavilion, car parking, amenities and change rooms, can you confirm that this project will still proceed?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:08): I thank Mrs McArthur for her question. I have got some information in relation to Miners Rest. As you would appreciate, many of the projects you have referred to are a matter for the minister for sport –

Members interjecting.

Jaclyn SYMES: I am literally going to provide you quite a detailed answer, because I have got some information here that I can provide you. Obviously, Mrs McArthur, in relation to the commitments facilitated by the money that we have made available for regional Victoria, there are hundreds of local projects and many new homes, which we have heard a lot about from the minister. Many are finished; many are underway. There are sporting facilities being delivered right across the state. Overall budget and total number of homes being delivered is 588 homes already completed.

In relation to your direct question in relation to Miners Rest, my advice is that the necessary assessment and planning processes for the proposed Miners Rest community sports facility are ongoing. These projects represent an opportunity to secure of course generational investment and benefits for regional Victoria, so they have to be done right. We are exploring all options to deliver support for Miners Rest after cultural artefacts were found at the site. It is very important to make sure that we take these matters seriously. The planning is still progressing, as I said, and I will endeavour to provide you with any more updates as they come toward me. I will give it straight to you, Mrs McArthur, so that you can inform your community.

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:10): I was actually there at Miners Rest last week. Nothing has happened on this site – absolutely nothing. It is an empty paddock, and after three years of promises, there is no action whatsoever. Minister, this project was supposed to be completed last year. When will the community actually see a shovel in the ground?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:11): Mrs McArthur, I have provided you with the information that I have at hand in relation to planning processes that are underway, exploring all opportunities to deliver support for the Miners Rest community after obviously the cultural artefacts were identified. When I have any further information, whether it is within my portfolio or another minister’s –

Bev McArthur interjected.

Jaclyn SYMES: Mrs McArthur, it is not appropriate to railroad over culturally significant sites. There are planning processes underway. I have provided you with the information I have at hand, and I have generously offered to provide an update, without further prompting, within question time.