Backers of the plan to transform the WIN Entertainment Centre into a major convention centre will make another bid for support, this time through a government fund for regions affected by mining.
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Venues NSW, the government body that owns the WEC and WIN Stadium, tried to access money for the project under the Illawarra Infrastructure Fund but was knocked back. The $28.05-million bid did not make the short list for spending the $100 million reserved for the region, from the lease of Port Kembla.
But when Infrastructure NSW made the decision to reject the proposal, it ignored the criteria that included projects in mining-affected areas.
On Monday, applications close for the latest round of the Resources for Regions program, which was set up to provide infrastructure for NSW regions affected by mining.
Wollongong is one of eight local government areas specifically listed as affected by mining.
A spokeswoman for Venues NSW confirmed the body would seek funding via this route.
‘‘The proposal has been further fine-tuned and Venues NSW remains committed to this exciting project, which will bring economic, employment and social benefits to the Illawarra community,’’ she said.
It is not known whether the proposal has been amended to take into consideration feedback from Infrastructure NSW.
Documents released to the Mercury under Freedom of Information laws show Infrastructure NSW noted that Venues NSW had not offered to contribute its own funds to the convention project.
Chief executive Jim Betts also said the panel was ‘‘not convinced that the business case adequately made the case for improved economic growth and productivity in the region and in NSW’’.
