|
Work on the long-awaited upgrade to the Piggabeen Sports Complex – home to Australia’s oldest provincial rugby league club the Tweed Seagulls – will commence in late 2023 after a major funding injection from the NSW Government.
The funding, announced on site today by Tweed MP Geoff Provest in conjunction with Tweed Seagulls Rugby League Football Club and Tweed Shire Council, will allow works on Stage 1 of the upgrade to begin later this year.
Works in Stage 1 include:
A $600,000 grant from the NSW Department of Planning – Stage 2 Regional Housing Fund Infrastructure Projects fund will allow Council to deliver elements of Stage 1 of its Piggabeen Sports Complex Masterplan Project.
An additional $1.68 million granted to Tweed Seagulls RLFC through the NSW Government’s Office of Sport – Multi-Sport Community Facility Funding will be used to complete additional elements of the Masterplan.
Council’s Manager Parks and Active Communities Murray Smith welcomed the funding for the project, which had been informed through consultation with the community in the development of a Masterplan for the complex upgrade.
“This venue is a vital piece of infrastructure for the sporting community in Tweed Heads West and is well-used and loved by the wider community,” Mr Smith said.
“Council is grateful for the funding to upgrade the facility so we can provide an improved and more functional space for local clubs and residents to use.”
Tweed Seagulls CEO Matt Francis thanked all stakeholders, saying the funding would help secure Seagulls’ future as a pathways club to the NRL.
“Over the past 3 years we’ve worked closely with Tweed Shire Council on the development of a Masterplan for Piggabeen that has been instrumental in us seeking funding with Geoff’s support,” Mr Francis said.
“This process has involved community consultation as well as the support of our governing bodies and game partners including the NRL, QRL and our affiliate, the Gold Coast Titans.
“Tweed Seagulls is also indebted to the unwavering support of the Norths Collective through Seagulls Club where the commitment to rugby league is underpinned by our shared values to make a difference in the communities we serve.”
Member for Tweed Geoff Provest announced almost $1.7 million in funding under the NSW Government’s Multi-Sport Facility Fund to expand the facility to 3 upgraded fields, provide a community playground and increase broader community usage.
Mr Provest said the funding was one of 39 projects funded across the State as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to turbocharge the take-up of community sport.
In announcing the grant Mr Provest said the improved facilities would service youth across the region and support the growth of female participation as well as providing increased opportunities for people with disability.
“Tweed Seagulls have a proud history in the sport, but it is also their commitment to the broader community that will enable more local residents to enjoy the benefits of sport and active recreation,” Mr Provest said.
A Council-owned facility, Piggabeen Sports Complex is situated in Tweed Heads West and is mainly used as a rugby league ground. It is the home ground of the Tweed Seagulls – who play in the Queensland Cup. The ground is also used by the club's junior rugby league teams as well as local residents for general recreation.
The project will be managed by Council with construction due to start towards the end of 2023, at the completion of the rugby league season. Stage 1 is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete, weather permitting. Further stages of the Masterplan implementation will progress as funding becomes available.
The community was invited to comment on the Draft Piggabeen Sports Complex Masterplan in 2021 – a 10-year plan for the Tweed’s favourite rugby league sporting facility. This project forms part of Council’s Open Space Strategy 2019-2029 the overarching framework and strategic direction for public open space planning in the Tweed Shire for the next decade.
Find out more about the history of the project at yoursaytweed.com.au/piggabeensportscomplex.
|