Fiona Nash Minister for Regional Development Minister for Local Government and Territories Minister for Regional Communications Deputy Leader of The Nationals   Barnaby Joyce Federal Member for New England Deputy Prime Minister Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Leader of The Nationals	Kevin Anderson Member for Tamworth Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Roads, Maritime and Transport	Col Murray Mayor Tamworth Regional Council

 

Joint Media Release

• Construction has begun on the Northern Inland Centre of Sporting Excellence, a 2016 federal election commitment

• The centre will feature a range of new sports facilities

• The Coalition Government has committed $8.5 million to the project

 

Construction has begun on the $17.2 million Northern Inland Centre of Sporting Excellence in Tamworth.

 

Federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said the new sports centre, which includes a 333-metre velodrome and criterium cycling circuit, promises to increase economic activity in the region.

 

“This project will create over 60 jobs, including 12 ongoing jobs. I am looking forward to seeing the completion of the project in March 2019,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“This project is yet another example of the Federal Coalition Government working with state and local counterparts in delivering for the people of New England.”

 

Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash said the centre will help attract major sporting events to the Tamworth region.

 

“I aim to build the kinds of communities our children and grandchildren want to either stay in or come back to, and delivering first class sporting facilities like this does just that,” Minister Nash said.

 

New South Wales Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the new centre will accommodate a wide range of potential users of different abilities.

 

“Sports participation strengthens communities, and this project will reach schools, clubs and the broader community,” Mr Anderson said.

 

Mayor of Tamworth Regional Council Col Murray said the much-anticipated project has been four years in the making.

 

“This project will realise our community’s desire to build on our strong reputation for nurturing top-level sporting abilities and hosting major sports events, boosting the local economy through increased numbers of visitors competing in or spectating at events it hosts,” Cr Murray said.

 

The Federal Coalition Government is providing $8.5 million, along with $4.45 million from Tamworth Regional Council and $4.25 million from the New South Wales Government, toward the delivery of the project.