Oatley MP Mark Coure says he is excited about the NSW government's possible commitment to funding suburban stadiums like Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, and Labor MPs Chris Minns (Kogarah) and Steve Kamper (Rockdale) agree with him.
The NSW government has pledged to inject additional funding into suburban Sydney sports grounds, saying it wants to "move away from the big stadiums".
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet on Monday said funding in this month's state budget may be funnelled into planning for upgrades of local grounds.
Mr Perrottet said this may include upgrades at Jubilee Stadium (Kogarah Oval).
Mr Coure said locals should welcome the Budget due on November 17.
"This is great news for St George region and the community," he said.
"If this announcement is in the budget it is a big win for all those that use the oval at Kogarah."
Labor MPs Chris Minns and Steve Kamper have welcomed the NSW government's possible investment in Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
They say they are on a unity ticket with the government and say as local MPs they'd be "mad" to discourage any investment in local sporting infrastructure.
"We support the upgrade of Jubilee Stadium to ensure the St George Dragons have world-class facilities and continue to play at their spiritual home," Mr Minns said.
"No MP is going to say no to this type of investment in their electorate. Particularly when unemployment is nearly hitting double digits and there is a massive drop off in economic growth.
"We took a policy of suburban ground updates to the last election, so Labor supports it."
"We'd like to see a little more detail around the investment though, " Mr Kamper said.
"We need to see a parking and traffic scheme and a time frame for construction."
Mr Minns said the investment should also include funding for a district aquatic facility at Jubilee with a 50m pool and a gymnasium.
Mr Perrottet said the stadium would become a great community facility.
"It's great for those stadiums to get a revamp but they will also provide a great community facility, so we'll be looking to have these grounds as not just something for professional rugby league but also community sport, local markets and things like that," Mr Perrottet told 2GB radio.
"We've said we'll work through this on a case-by-case basis but we do want to move away from the big stadiums and try and ensure local communities over time have great facilities."
The Australian Rugby League Commission has lobbied the state government with a proposal on rejuvenating community grounds in lieu of the ANZ Stadium upgrade.
Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
