By Deanne Jeffers
Australians will head to the polls next week for the May 3 Federal Election, and incumbent Federal Member for Nicholls, Sam Birrell, has unveiled nearly $33M in funding commitments for key projects across the electorate should the Liberal Nationals Coalition be returned to government.
In Shepparton, the headline pledge is a $20M contribution towards the Shepparton Stadium upgrade, matching Greater Shepparton City Council’s request. An additional $2M is earmarked for infrastructure upgrades: $1M for Stages 5 and 6 of the Welsford Street Upgrade and $1M to extend the shared path network from Victoria Park Lake to Shepparton Railway Station, continuing through to Greater Shepparton Secondary College.
Local sporting clubs also stand to benefit, with Mr Birrell committing $500,000 for the construction of a new toilet block at Stanhope Recreation Reserve to deliver modern, accessible changerooms for netball players, $550,000 for a new netball amenities block at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, plus $525,000 to develop a standalone bike complex and dog park in Mooroopna.
In Nagambie, Mr Birrell joined Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie on Friday to announce $6.3M to restore the historic Kirwans Bridge and reopen it to traffic. The bridge has remained closed since the October 2022 floods.
Since his election in 2022, Mr Birrell has secured $15M for the Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub and $11M for improvements at Victoria Park in Echuca, delivering a total of $26M to the electorate.
If re-elected, Mr Birrell has pledged to continue advocating for vital projects throughout Nicholls. Speaking at the stadium funding announcement, Mr Birrell said he promised ongoing support for the project regardless of the outcome of the election.
“I have had some success in the past,” he said. “I was able to work with groups to get some funding from the Labor Government. I hope we can do that,” he said, highlighting projects he’d secured funding for this term. “Ideally, we win, and we can just deliver the funding straight up. But if we’re in government, this will be definitely funded.”
What’s been promised?
• $20M for Shepparton Stadium upgrades, matching Greater Shepparton City Council’s ask of the elected Federal Government. The project would require $8M from the State Government with Council investing the remaining $4M.
• $6.3M to restore historic Kirwans Bridge and reopen it to traffic in Nagambie
• $2M for Shepparton infrastructure projects, comprising $1M for Stages 5 and 6 of the Welsford Street Upgrade and $1M to extend the share path network Victoria Park Lake, to Shepparton Railway and through to Greater Shepparton Secondary College. Council would contribute $500,000 for the shared path expansion.
• $900,000 for renovations at Seymour RSL.
• $600,000 to upgrade Kilmore’s JJ Clancy Reserve
• $550,000 to construct a new netball amenity at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.
• $525,000 to develop a stand-alone bike complex and dog park in Mooroopna.
• $500,000 to support the construction of a new toilet block at Stanhope Recreation Reserve to help deliver modern, accessible changerooms for netball players.
• $500,000 to upgrade the second oval and install AFL standard lighting at Kings Park Seymour. Mitchell Shire Council would contribute $150,000 towards the project.
• $450,000 to deliver accessibility upgrades to Echuca’s historic wharf, delivering a universal, all-access floating pontoon.
• $350,000 to support the Lockington community to expand community-based housing at Waterwheel Court.
• $150,000 to install CCTV cameras in the Echuca CBD.
• $100,000 to fund a permanent BMX and mountain bike jumps track in Kilmore
TOTAL: $32,925,000
