Events with more than 1000 participants are being turned away from the WIN Entertainment Centre as it has been described as not fit for purpose for accessibility, amenity and activation, state government documents reveal.
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Wollongong MP Paul Scully obtained secret documents of advice to the state government under Freedom of Information laws and he said they showed the city was missing out on multi-million dollar sporting and entertainment events as no upgrade to the centre was being funded.
In a renewed push to see the government allocate money for a business case for the much-needed refurbishment of the ageing centre, Mr Scully was disappointed to see sports ministers had ignored advice that the WEC attracts Australia-wide visitation and has strong community and stakeholder support for a upgrade.
Venues NSW, which runs the WEC, is seeking $3.5 million from the government to develop a full masterplan and business case, which has not progressed beyond initial stakeholder engagement.
Alarmingly, Acting Minister for Sport, Geoff Lee has not acted on a February request from Venues NSW asking to identify "appropriate funding" for an Illawarra Sport and Entertainment Precinct, with the organisation urging that "the time to commit to the future of [the project] is now."
Local organisations have also "offered funding towards progressing the concept plan process", advice to the minister showed.
Mr Scully said the secret documents confirm the state government was the only drag on the WEC refurbishment getting underway.
"These documents make the case for an upgrade of the now 21-year old WEC facility crystal clear," Mr Scully said.
"The documents confirm there is widespread stakeholder and community support for the upgrade from Venues NSW, National Basketball League, Destination Wollongong, Illawarra Business Chamber, Wollongong City Council, Regional Development Australia Illawarra and even the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
"The documents reveal that we are losing multi-million dollar scheduled events with over 1,000 patrons because the facility is tired and not fit for purpose - which has a direct impact on local jobs and businesses.
"At the same time the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government has declined offers of financial assistance from some of the region's major stakeholders to help fund the $3.5 million business case so further funding could be allocated."
Mr Scully said the government was stubbornly resisting reason.
"Everyone sees the logic and need for the upgrade, but the government is steadfast in its resistance and I can only assume that is politically motivated," he said.
"The Premier must now explain why she is so intent on continuing to reject the strong community support the upgrade has, including from the very statutory authority, Venues NSW, which owns the WEC and is pleading for her to get her chequebook out."
Mr Scully again invited the acting minister to the WEC to discuss the refurbishment once COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
He feared campaigning for the funding would be a fight like the ones for the Unanderra train station lift upgrade or Bulli Hospital refurbishment.
"The government needs to allocate the $3.5 million as soon as possible and not wait for the October budget," Mr Scully said.
The renewed call comes after the region's political leaders, including Mr Scully, spoke about their collective embarrassment at watching as water pooled on the floor of the Illawarra Hawks' last home game for the season in February.
