Election promises mean oval will be redeveloped
The redevelopment of Woy Woy oval will proceed with Federal funding of $3.5 million promised by both Labor and Liberal candidates.
Minister for Sport Senator Don Farrell and Member for Robertson Ms Deborah O'Neill have announced $3.5 million million in federal funding for the redevelopment of Woy Woy Oval.
"Federal Labor has a strong commitment to community sport and the Woy Woy Oval is an important piece of community infrastructure," said Minister Farrell.
"This funding is recognition of the great community support that the Member for Robertson Deb O'Neill has garnered in her work with members of Woy Woy's local rugby clubs."
Ms O'Neill has been working for over a year with representatives of Country Rugby League and local rugby union clubs who share the use of the oval towards receiving a funding commitment.
"I've had more than 2000 Coasties sign my petition to show the Federal Government just how important this piece of infrastructure is for the Peninsula.
Meanwhile, Liberal candidate for Robertson Lucy Wicks announced a $3.5 million funding commitment to the redevelopment of the Woy Woy Oval grandstand.
"I am very pleased to be able to announce that a Coalition government would provide this vital funding for Woy Woy Oval, which is in desperate need of redevelopment and renewal," said Ms Wicks.
"I have listened to the Woy Woy community and fought hard for this funding.
"The progressive redevelopment will see the oval capable of accommodating up to 10,000 spectators.
"This will be fantastic for the local community and surrounding areas."
The funding for Woy Woy Oval is part of the Coalition's Growth Plan for the Central Coast, which Ms Wicks said would strengthen the local economy with more jobs, more investment and better services.
"Redeveloping and renewing the Woy Woy Oval will provide much needed investment in community and sporting infrastructure on the Central Coast.
"The redeveloped oval will be a civic centerpiece of Woy Woy and contribute to job creation in the area," said Ms Wicks.
Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales has welcomed the news.
"The redevelopment of the Woy Woy Oval grandstand was one of the Peninsula Chamber's three key election projects, so the news that a Liberal Government would provide $3.5 million towards this project is welcome news," said Mr Wales.
"This election commitment is in addition to the $1.75 million already committed by Gosford City Council as part of a $6 million project.
"Our understanding is that these funds will ensure that stages one and three of the Woy Woy grandstand redevelopment can be completed which will include seating for 800 people, club facilities, change rooms, sports ground amenities and importantly, commercial areas for potential leasing.
"This project has the potential to re-activate the Oval Ave precinct and create a link between the sports ground facilities and commercial centre".
"The Chamber has been pushing hard to ensure key infrastructure such as the Woy Woy Oval become part of an integrated approach to the revitalisation of the old Woy Woy town centre.
"The funding commitment by the Liberal candidate Lucy Wicks will ensure that this revitalisation process will get a healthy start and the Chamber will continue to lobby the NSW State Government for matching funds to fully complete the project.
"We are still hopeful that further funding commitments will be made by the federal candidates including monies towards the upgrading of the Peninsula's roads and key intersections and the construction of the new ferry wharf at Bangalow St on the Ettalong Beach foreshore," said Mr Wales.
Media release, 29 Aug 2013
Richard Mehrtens, office of Deborah O'Neill MP
Media release, 28 Aug 2013
Mary Doherty, Office of Lucy Wicks
Media release, 29 Aug 2013
Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce