Vote for us and it’s yours: Premier’s conditional pledge for sports precinct | Video, poll

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Wednesday pledged $25 million for Orange’s purpose-built sporting precinct if coalition candidate Kate Hazelton defeats incumbent Orange MP Phil Donato in next month’s state election.

The Orange Sporting Precinct plan – developed by Orange City Council on a site near the Northern Distributor Road – would make the city a regional hub for sporting events, according to Ms Berejiklian.

Plans for the long sought-after facility include an AFL, cricket and multipurpose oval; an athletic field and track with covered, tiered seating; and a main rugby union/league field with a 1500-seat grandstand and seating mounds, with a total capacity for 8500.

“This will be a major regional sporting complex,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Not only would it satisfy the needs of many local sporting groups who are crying out for this investment but it would also put Orange on the map to be able to host very important regional events.”

VIDEO: Premier Gladys Berejiklian speaking at Robertson Park ...

The premier was adamant the project would only be brought to fruition if the Nationals candidate prevailed at next month’s poll.

“I want to make that clear because we’ve worked out guts out to build a strong budget and we want to make sure Orange gets its fair share,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Mrs Hazelton, who is standing for the Nationals for the March 23 election, said the sporting precinct would change the face of sport in the region and would attract major events.

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“This will be a boon for all who participate in and watch sport locally but will also deliver economic benefits with a better capacity to stage major events here in Orange,” she said.

“I don’t want to see our community get left behind, which is why am asking the community to back me in and make this top-tier sporting facility a reality.

“It’s time to put Orange back on the map and at the top of the priority list. We shouldn’t be second to Dubbo and Bathurst.”

VIDEO: Member for Orange Phil Donato responds to Premier’s comments ...

Ms Berejiklian said the project had the potential to provide wide-reaching economic benefits for the entire community “by having major events hosted at that complex … by having 8000 spectators turn up to major events”.

“Not only does it mean great opportunities for young children, young teams and older people as well who participate in sports to play these sports there, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to continue to grow the hospitality and tourism industry in Orange,” she said.

“That is a boost for any regional community and I want Orange to be part of that exciting action.”

If the funding comes through, the long-awaited Orange sporting precinct would be built on an area of land between the Northern Distributor Road and Suma Park Dam.