NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian sparked a furore this week, promising the city of Orange a $25 million stadium and sports precinct provided the seat returns to the Nationals at next month’s election.

Dr McGirr doesn’t believe that’s good enough. 

“Sporting infrastructure is now part of what communities need to thrive. It’s not a gift. It’s part of a healthy community and part of a government responsibility to deliver it,” Dr McGirr said.

“I think communities across the state have a right to appropriate facilities. Particularly regional communities because they bring tourism and growth and they shouldn’t be dependent on electing a particular person.

“At the back of this is the feeling that communities ought to be grateful for these things and that if they behave themselves, they’ll get promised stuff. Whereas, we’re talking about social infrastructure needed to supporting growing communities.”

Dr McGirr visited Wagga’s new multi-purpose stadium this week and said he’s continuing to meet with various clubs and organisations about funding needs in the city. He said sports facilities are also a health issue in a country troubled by obesity.  

Chairman of Wagga Rugby League, Warren Barclay, said a $25 million election incentive for another regional city is an insult to the efforts of those involved in developing Wagga’s premier rugby league ground at Equex. 

“I feel for the hundreds of people over the last 12 years who have put a lot of effort into McDonalds Park because we’ve always done it on a shoestring budget. I think it’s about $1.2 million dollars over 12 years for the whole ground. To build what we have for $1.2 million is incredible,” Barclay said.

He said they’re appreciative of the current $300,000 in state government funding for the latest improvements at Equex, including expanded seating and new changerooms and amenities. 

But the idea of another regional city getting 62.5 times that amount, in one election promise, isn’t easy to accept. 

“It’s just disappointing because seriously, we’ve done it hard. But we’re really proud of what we’ve achieved. If the NSW government was able to provide us, or Wagga City Council, even one million dollars for WRL to project manage, we’d certainly give them bang for their buck. They’d get their money’s worth that’s for sure,” Barclay said.

The proposal for Orange includes a new 8,500 seat rectangular ground, a new athletics track with covered seating, and an AFL/cricket ground.

Wagga’s two athletics clubs have been trying to get Jubilee Park’s grass track upgraded to an all-weather facility, particularly given the venue is used by every school student in Wagga.

While WRL, in partnership with Wagga Council, is managing an upgrade at Harris Park as well as Equex. 

This week, the organisation transported three container loads of seats back to Wagga from the demolition site of the old Allianz Stadium next to the Sydney Cricket Ground.

“To see Orange possibly shown something like $25 million – that’s something we’d love to have our hands on. All of the sports here in Wagga would love to. Or just one million,” Barclay said. 

“We’ve got a few ideas. We’d love to upgrade Harris Park and make it similar to McDonalds Park (Equex) because Wagga’s getting to the size now where we need another venue.

“But McDonalds Park will always be the premier ground and that’s part of Wagga City Counci’s strategy, so we’d like to put more seating in there and create a small stadium effect.”

Work continues apace at Equex as the venue continues to prepare for the start of the Group Nine season in eight weeks and the NRL game between Canberra and Penrith a month later.

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