AS Shepparton’s Sports and Events Stadium yearns for modernisation, Liberal Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell, finds herself in a tug-of-war with the Allan Labor government in her relentless quest for a $20m commitment. This fund forms part of the estimated $60 million overhaul for the worn-out stadium.
The antiquated structure, erected back in the 1970s, no longer satisfies the needs of the community and has resulted in Shepparton missing out on crucial hosting opportunities. Lovell is urging for the transformation of the sports hub stating, “Upgrading the Shepparton Sports and Events Centre will change the face of sports within the Goulburn Valley, and deliver economic benefit to the wider community.”
This redevelopment could stimulate substantial economic growth, promising a total local benefit of $68m, creating 235 jobs throughout the construction phase and potentially boosting tourism by 24,000 people annually, adding an estimated $12.3m to the local economy every year.
Echoing the community’s sentiments, Lovell insisted, “Greater Shepparton City Council has repeatedly identified the stadium as a high-priority infrastructure project, which has the potential to create significant jobs for the local community and contribute to the growing local economy.”
