One year after the NSW Government declared fixing the WIN Entertainment Centre a "priority" there is no sign of action to fix the dilapidated venue, which forced the cancellation of an NBL game last year because of a leaking roof.
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And now, acting Sports Minister Geoff Lee has said it is up to Wollongong City Council to take the next step towards upgrading the Government-owned facility.
In front of the WEC on Thursday Labor Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said time was running out to upgrade the venue before the UCI Road World Championships of cycling in 2022.
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He said the agency which owned the WEC, Venues NSW, had written to Mr Lee last February requesting funding, and saying "the time to commit to the future of [the project] is now".
"The minister promised the WEC upgrade would be a 'priority' - his words - after the debacle of the roof leak on this very day last year," Mr Scully said.
"Yet 12 months on we have absolutely nothing to show for it - the stakeholder report that the minister has had for a year hasn't even been released.
"The minister needs to get on his bike and get this upgrade process moving, or Wollongong likely risks another incident where the WEC causes another embarrassment - this time while millions of eyes worldwide are focused on the city.
"It's time for the Government to stop dragging its feet on an upgrade that is inevitable for the 21-year old WEC and get a move on now."
The minister needs to get on his bike and get this upgrade process moving, or Wollongong likely risks another incident where the WEC causes another embarrassment
- Paul Scully MP
Asked about the delay, acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said it was now up to Wollongong City Council to "begin a planning process".
"Priorities for the Illawarra Sports and Entertainment Precinct have been strengthened by the formation of the new Venues NSW entity, which includes Wollongong representation on the board," Dr Lee said.
"The NSW Government requested Wollongong City Council begin a planning process for the future of the precinct."
He said the Government was "working collaboratively" with council on the planning process.
Dr Lee's comments arrived after council had closed.
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Ben Langford
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on.
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on.
