IF THE state government can’t come to table with funding for the Northern Inland Centre of Excellence (NICE), Tamworth Regional Council says it will look at other options to make the project happen.
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As we settle in to 2017, Tamworth mayor Col Murray has told The Leader council’s priorities for the next 12 months and the sporting centre of excellence is top of the list.
Cr Murray said the NSW minister for sport Stuart Ayres was due to visit Tamworth in January, which would present a great chance for council to stake its claim for funding.
“It’s been nearly two years since the [NSW] election; it was very high on the agenda in that election,” Cr Murray said.
The mayor said council could have to investigate what alternative funding options are available to ensure to project gets up and running, with pressure from sporting organisations in the community.
“There’s a solid $8.5 million commitment from the federal government and I think it would be irresponsible of council to not take advantage of that,” he said.
The civic leader said TRC would also look to keep moving forward on “alternative energy” options in the region.
The success of the solar array trial at TRC’s Swan St pump station has sparked further action in the area by council.
Cr Murray said progress on the proposal to potential power Tamworth hospital off methane fumes captured from the Forest Rd tip would be sought.
“We’ve discussed it with our local member, Kevin Anderson, and the Parliamentary Secretary for renewable energy, Adam Marshall,” he said. “There’s support all-round.”
The recent announcement of $2 million of federal support for an Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the airport was seen as a solid foundation for the Tamworth potentially bringing in international freight.
“We have exporters in China who are keen,” he said.
“It would go hand-in-hand with our work for an intermodal transport hub.”