Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch has called on the State Labor Government to honour its election commitment of funding to Empire Bay Tennis Club, claiming the future of regional funding remains in limbo.
Crouch said that with the State Government remaining non-committal to regional programs like the Regional Seniors Travel Card and the Stronger Country Communities Fund, it needs to be held accountable for commitments on a local level.
“The ball is sitting in their court – that’s why I’m calling on the State Labor Government to provide the promised $100,000 in funding to Empire Bay Tennis Club within this financial year,” Crouch said.
He said the tennis courts are a part of the fabric of the Empire Bay community and cannot afford to lose the much-needed funding.
“Our valuable community organisations need this funding, and that’s why I will continue to fight for not only this promised funding, but also all commitments promised by the State Government across the Central Coast,” he said.
Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said the Government will deliver on all its commitments to the Central Coast community, including funding to upgrade Empire Bay Tennis Courts.
“The funding of $100,000 is absolutely confirmed and will be released some time after July 31, 2023,” he said.
“Unlike the previous government, which made many promises but kept very few, we will be honouring our commitments.
“When we formed Government in March, we inherited the largest debt ever passed on from one government to the next, with the state on track for a record $187.5B in debt.
“Incoming briefs have also uncovered a $7B black hole of unfunded programs.
“We’re undertaking a line-by-line review of expenditure across the Government in order to restore fiscal responsibility to the NSW Budget.
“Of course, all the commitments need to go through a proper probity and approval process.
“Commitments that meet these guidelines will be announced in due course.”
Terry Collins