Lights for the Port Pirie netball courts were the number one request when Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey visited the Port Pirie Netball Club last week.
Mr Ramsey said the numbers playing netball in Port Pirie were remarkable.
“Sport is such a positive force in our lives, particularly for our kids, not only helping with fitness and teamwork, but by providing responsibility,” he said.
“Netball in Port Pirie is already a winner, so it is imperative we have first class facilities.”
Mr Ramsey is retiring at the next election and was accompanied by new Liberal candidate for Grey Tom Venning.
“We’ve been taking the opportunity now Parliament has risen to get out and talk with communities, clubs and councils about the kind of assistance they need to help them make life better in their community,” he said.
“It’s been excellent opportunity to get out with Tom helping him appreciate the individual challenges different communities face and giving them a chance to get to know him.
“Port Pirie Netball Club has secured a State Government grant, a loan from Port Pirie Regional Council and has worked hard to save and saved $400,000 themselves and are currently in the final stages of completing a complete resurfacing of the courts which look fantastic.
“The three bodies are all to be congratulated on their commitment, but have emptied the bucket and there is a limit to what they can do. First-class lights will increase opportunities to train and to run night-time competitions.
“Given its size, it’s more like a soccer field and it needs serious lighting.
“The club is looking for $350k to finish the job and the gap should have already been funded by the Federal Government, but things have not been plain sailing there.
“I’ve been pretty disappointed with the slowness of the Federal grants for local communities with one of the Labor Party’s first actions upon coming to government being cancelling the BBRF grants and then taking another 12 months to put their Growing Regions Guidelines in place, which following further missed timelines, finds us here two and a half years later and not one dollar has yet flowed from this scheme. It has starved regional communities of the funds they would have normally expected.
“That is why Tom Venning and I are pushing for a commitment from the Liberal Party leading into the election, but we would also hope it will put pressure the Labor Government to do their job.”
Mr Venning said travelling with Mr Ramsey was giving him an invaluable introduction to the electorate it’s people and possibilities.
“Whether or not I become the next member of Grey will be up to the people, but if I do, I’m working to ensure I can pick up where Rowan left off and hit the ground running,” he said.
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Rowan Ramsey MP
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 8633 1744
December 16, 2024
