Wollongong MP Noreen Hay and opposition spokesman for the Illawarra Ryan Park announced on Thursday $35 million would be allocated to the project if  Labor was elected on March 28. 

The money would be reserved in Labor’s Illawarra Infrastructure Investment Fund, which would be set up to ensure $380 million from the long-term lease of Port Kembla port was returned to the region.

‘‘I didn’t want the port privatised, however, once it was privatised my demands were that we had the easy access lifts at Unanderra and a convention centre as an extension of the WEC [among the projects funded],’’ Ms Hay said. 

‘‘When we were in government we got the $30 million for the new grandstand here and the commitment now in opposition for $35 million for a convention centre, I think, is fantastic. 

‘‘If Labor wins government we’ll be getting it straight up.’’ 

Ms Hay said the WEC transformation would address market demand for conferences in the region, particularly Wollongong. 

‘‘These enhanced facilities will allow us to attract bigger and better events to the heart of the Illawarra, supporting more than 200 new jobs and an extra $12 million in economic activity,’’ she said.

The new jobs would be in addition to the present 270 full-time equivalent positions.

Mr Park said the upgrade would make the venue a world-class entertainment facility.

‘‘This is an allocation of money that will be used to essentially bring the WIN Entertainment Centre up to speed,’’ the Keira MP said.

‘‘We know it’s been a long time coming, we know it is in urgent need of an upgrade ... this will ensure the centre is of world-class standard.’’

Earlier this week, Destination Wollongong chairman Matt Davidson encouraged both sides of politics to consider a convention centre as an important election issue for the region.

‘‘I feel like we’ve spent enough time talking about it and this region deserves game-changing infrastructure to keep growing the industries, like tourism, that will power the Illawarra into the future,’’ Mr Davidson said.

‘‘I’d ask the state government to commit to working with local stakeholders to seriously pursue a convention centre without delay. It’s time to get on with it.’’

Mr Davidson said a report prepared by Destination Wollongong four years ago showed that if the city hosted 80 additional events a year at a new centrally located convention centre, it would bring in 40,000 additional high-yielding visitors who otherwise would not have come to Wollongong.

 andrew.pearson@fairfaxmedia.com.au