NEWS DESK
Federal funding gets ball rolling on stadium project FEDERAL funding for the redevelopment of Frankston Basketball Stadium has been secured, with both Labor and Liberal candidates for Dunkley committing to the project. Liberal candidate for Dunkley Sharn Coombes announced last week that the federal government would allocate $15 million to the planned redevelopment of the stadium. She said the funding was “not an election commitment, this is real money which will be delivered regardless of the election outcome.” “This means more basketball courts, upgrades to existing facilities, and even a gymnastics centre,” Ms Coombes said. “I heard the community, realised their need for more courts, better facilities, and got to work advocating. “This is really exciting. It means the Frankston and District Basketball Association can get on with their redevelopment, accommodating the nearly 10,000 members and players in a rapidly expanding association. I had already identified the Frankston Basketball Stadium as a key priority for upgrade in my local plan, and after advocating for the project with senior government figures such as Senator Jane Hume I’m thrilled that this project has now been funded.” Ms Coombes’ announcement followed an announcement from federal Labor last month that it would spend $15 million on the project if elected (“Labor plays ball on stadium project” The Times 29/3/22). Frankston Council is putting in $15 million of ratepayer funding towards the project. It is still seeking funding from the state government before the upgrade can proceed. The planned redevelopment is expected to include the addition of two new basketball courts, the full redevelopment of courts seven and eight as multi-purpose basketball courts, refurbishment works on courts one to four, an improved foyer and office spaces, gymnastics facilities, and mezzanine spectator viewing.
Election date set Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au
LIBERAL Dunkley candidate Sharn Coombes with FDBA CEO Wayne Holdsworth. Picture: Supplied
THE 2022 federal election will be held on 21 May. Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the Governor-General on Sunday, 10 April to call the election. Ahead of the close of candidate nominations on 21 April, five people have announced a run for the seat of Dunkley. Labor MP Peta Murphy is the incumbent. She will be running again this year. The Liberals have put forward lawyer and former Survivor contestant Sharn Coombes to contest the seat. The other candidates for Dunkley at the 2022 federal election as of 14 April are Liam O’Brien for the Greens, Damian Willis for the Liberal Democrats, and Adrian Irvine for the United Australia Party. Dunkley was won by Labor in 2019, after last winning it in 1993. From 1996 to 2016 Liberal Bruce Billson held the seat. Liberal Chris Crewther was the local member from 2016 to 2019, but lost the seat after just one term. Labor currently holds Dunkley with a 2.7 per cent margin.
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19 April 2022
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