This project which we are marking today is of generational significance to our community.

Sport is at the heart of most rural communities. It brings the community together, it is part of community social life and contributes greatly to community well being. Facilities need to be attractive and functional and enhance the joy of sport for participants and spectators and this facility will achieve that for Rugby League, Hockey and Netball. It will also provide a place for all sporting groups in our LGA to gather socially. I have no doubt that participation will increase simply because the facility is modern and highly functional - it will make sport more fun.

The story of how we have reached this sod turning event is worth hearing.

It began in 2017 or thereabouts with the former Mayor, Kathy Sajowitz, speaking with Paul Toole and John Borg about sporting facilities in our town. A result was an election promise of $2.0m in seed money prior to the 2019 State Election. That was a very good start, but it was not enough for a meaningful project. In the aftermath of the 2019/20 bushfires we received a further $4.9m from the Joint Federal and State Government Bushfire Local Emergency Relief Fund. Around $6.9M was feeling reasonably good but not enough for what we wanted.

In early 2022 Mr John Borg formally floated the idea that he could build our sports complex to our design using the grant money and a land swap on completion of the project where he would have ownership of the current Rugby League ground and associated land.

This acquisition process, in partnership with Borg, is a very rare way of doing business for a rural local government. We didn't know what a probity plan was until we needed one for this project and had the good fortune to have Mr Rob Waldersee helped us develop a probity plan which guided all parties in this project through all important processes and decisions leading to the eventual approval.

Through this period consultations with our sporting community were open, frank and very productive - ultimately the design of the facilities is better because of those consultations.

What is ahead of us is stage 1 of the plan. A club house building, change facilities that cater for men and women, a grandstand, 2 rugby league grounds and a formed-up grass hockey pitch. We will likely fund some netball courts. For this Oberon Sports and Community Complex to achieve its ultimate configuration we will be seeking funding to create a contemporary synthetic hockey pitch that will support the fastest growing sport in our community.

Well done and thank you to all those who have contributed to getting the project to this point. There is more hard work ahead, but the goal is a great one.

The dream of a new home for sport in Oberon is finally becoming a reality. 

It's terrific to be a part of the turning of the first sod at Oberon's Multi-Purpose Sports and Community Complex. The project has received support from all three tiers of government with the federal government contributing equal $2.4 million funding with the state government as part of a $4.8 million grant through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery funding program.

The grant funding arose out of the Black Summer Bushfires which devastated many parts of the Central West including parts of the Oberon Shire. Traumatic though the bushfires were, through the tragedy and heartbreak, positives did emerge. Across our region communities united like never before in the face of that unprecedented threat and extraordinary projects like this one have sprung to life.

Oberon's Multi-Purpose Sports and Community Complex will relocate Oberon's sports ground to a new site at the western entrance to town. It will be the new home of the legendary Oberon Tigers Rugby League Football Club and include rugby league fields, netball and hockey facilities, a club house and seating and amenities. Importantly, a women's changeroom and amenities block will be constructed. The facilities at the current ground are showing their age and do not reflect the increasing participation of girls and women in local sport.

Many other communities are moving ahead with upgrading their sporting facilities and it is important that Oberon makes this investment and continues to offer residents an exceptional quality of life. It truly is a game-changer! This is a wonderful day for Oberon, and I congratulate all the parties who have been involved in making it happen.