TONY PASIN MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BARKER
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT
THE HON. DAVID SPEIRS MP
Member for Black
state Leader of the Opposition
THE HON. BEN HOOD MLC
MEDIA RELEASE
WULANDA CELEBRATED
State and Federal Liberal Members of Parliament join the Mount Gambier community to celebrate this week as Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre is officially opened.
The $62.5 million project, which has been decades in the making, was supported with $25 million from former State and Federal Liberal Governments.
State Leader of the Opposition David Speirs will visit Mount Gambier on Wednesday and Thursday, joining with local Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP and newly elected Member of South Australian Legislative Council and former City of Mount Gambier councillor Ben Hood MLC.
Since doors opening to the public late last year, Wulanda has hosted the 2023 SA Country Swimming Championships, signed up 1900 members and attracted almost 15,000 casual visits.
Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP announced $15 million from the Coalition Government’s Regional Growth Fund in October 2018 and said that while the facility had already delivered for the community through the economic stimulus of construction through the pandemic, the first three months of public access to Wulanda had proved the facility was set to be huge asset to the community for generations to come.
“Wulanda is a true community success story. From an initial group of 14 passionate community members who came together in my office in early 2018, to the meeting attended by 350 residents at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre the ground swell of support was always strong.”
“It’s a fantastic end result and all those involved in its delivery should be extremely proud. We have delivered a whole of community facility that will be a key asset for years to come,” Mr Pasin said.
“The fact that both State and Federal Liberal Government recognised the need for this facility and made the largest investment of Government funds in the City’s history is a testament to the Liberal Party’s commitment to our region,” Mr Pasin said.
Following the 2018 Federal Government funding commitment, the former State Liberal Government committed a further $10 million to the council led project in January 2019.
State Leader of the Opposition David Speirs said the new centre will be an integral part of Mount Gambier’s future.
“If we want to encourage more people to live, work and raise a family in regional South Australia, it’s important they have access to first class facilities – and that’s exactly what the Liberal Party has delivered when it comes to the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre,” Mr Speirs said.
“Wulanda isn’t just a hub for recreation and events for Mount Gambier – but for the entire South-East, bringing significant social and economic benefits.
“Regional South Australia is the backbone of our economy and is vital to the success of the state, which is why it is so important to create opportunities for our regions to grow and prosper.
“The opening of Wulanda marks a new era of growth for Mount Gambier and the South-East and I look forward to seeing the many benefits it will bring the community in the years ahead.”
Newly elected Member of South Australian Legislative Council and former City of Mount Gambier councillor Ben Hood MLC said this Thursday will be a whole of community celebration of the largest community infrastructure project in Council’s history.
“I am extremely proud of our community for supporting this inter-generational piece of infrastructure for our city.
“Seeing Wulanda become a reality has been a passion of mine for years while serving on the City of Mount Gambier Council, working alongside the Member for Barker and the previous State Liberal Government.
“Ultimately, the vision for this centre has never changed and to now have the official opening is a tremendous milestone.
“It goes to show what we can achieve when Local, State and Federal Governments all work together to secure outcomes for our community.
“Our great grandchildren will be learning to swim, playing sport and living healthy lives because of the commitment made to ensure this centre happened,” Mr Hood said.
Media Contact: Charlotte Edmunds 8724 7730
