Wollongong City Council and the NSW Government are "buck-passing" on the Wollongong Entertainment Centre - and it could cost the region millions, Member for Wollongong Paul Scully says.
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Mr Scully believes a redevelopment of Penrith Stadium could mean Wollongong loses out on multimillion dollar concerts and events.
The Minister for Sport, who has responsibility for the WEC and WIN Stadium precinct told Mr Scully in an answer to a question to a question on notice, that a precinct plan for the area "...is yet to be completed" by Wollongong City Council.
"It is now nearly 700 days since the NSW Government stated that the WEC upgrade was a 'priority' after the roof leaked on 4 February 2020 stopping a nationally televised basketball game," Mr Scully said.
"It is nearly a year since the Lord Mayor, Councillor Gordon Bradbery, indicated Council would take the lead on planning for the Illawarra Sports and Entertainment Precinct.
"Yet from both the government and council we still see no action whatsoever. Western Sydney is coming after our events, our concerts, our business, our money and our jobs while we sit around and do nothing."
However a spokesperson for Wollongong City Council hit back, saying they were working with stakeholders to provide advice to Venues NSW.
"The work council has facilitated has included the preparation of a local land use planning framework, principles for future planning of the Venues NSW assets, upgrade options, and opportunities for collaboration with other interested parties and stakeholders," the spokesperson said.
"Council is advocating for the appropriate redevelopment of the site to ensure it meets existing and future recreation, culture and event demands.
"We are on track to present options and ideas to Venues NSW to inform their next phase of detailed Master Planning."
Briefing papers prepared by Venues NSW for the former Minister for Sport said the facility "regularly turns away" events with over 1000 participants from across Australia.
Mr Scully has called on the winner of the council elections to get the planning done as a matter of urgency.
"I'm sick and tired of the excuses, the buck-passing, and the finger-pointing between the government and the council when it comes to the WEC," he said.
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