Tony Pasin says economic development opportunities have been “left untapped” by government inaction

Regional communities are missing out on infrastructure developments which will be axed or delayed due to government inaction on funding initiatives, according to a rural MP.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin said projects like the Murray Bridge Regional Stadium redevelopment had been stalled by the government's inaction on regional infrastructure grant programs.

Regional South Australian communities are missing out on shovel-ready infrastructure developments which will be axed or delayed due to government inaction on funding initiatives, according to a rural MP.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin said economic development opportunities were being “left untapped” in his electorate after the federal government squashed the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) leaving pending projects without a funding source.

Mr Pasin pointed to the development of the Murray Bridge Regional Stadium as a project in funding limbo.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin said projects like the Murray Bridge Regional Stadium redevelopment had been stalled by the government's inaction on regional infrastructure grant programs.

The Rural City of Murray Bridge had been a successful applicant in round five of the BBRF in 2021, winning $1.9 million towards stage one of its regional stadium masterplan.

The Murray Bridge council had a pending application for round six of BBRF for stage two of the project – a large expansion of the facility – and the Coalition pledged $3 million for the second stage before the federal election.

And now, Mr Pasin said the new government was stalling on rolling out of regional funding programs.

“It means that projects like the Murray Bridge Regional Stadium are not being progressed,” Mr Pasin said.

“I’m extremely supportive of this project because I know the economic benefits that will come with a new regional stadium for the Murraylands … an additional 660 sports visitors to Murray Bridge each month are expected through regional competitions and tournaments at an upgraded facility, injecting $1.4 million into the local economy.

Labor has committed to replace BBRF with its Growing Regions Program, set to deliver investment in regional infrastructure and the government said the program would help drive “regional economic prosperity by providing access to funding for capital works for community and economic infrastructure across our rural and regional areas”.

However Mr Pasin said councils were being “left to watch project costs blowout with inflation” while the government delayed the opening of regional grant programs.

“It’s been almost 12 months since the Albanese Government was elected and they need to get their act together and release funding guidelines and timelines, enabling the Rural City of Murray Bridge and the Murray Bridge Basketball Association to get on with this project.”

A spokeswoman for the Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said it was expected the Growing Regions Program would be open for applications before the middle of the year.

“Mr Pasin was part of a government that chose to go to an election rather than decide on BBRF round six applications which had already closed in February 2022,” she said.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin said projects like the Murray Bridge Regional Stadium redevelopment had been stalled by the government's inaction on regional infrastructure grant programs.

“Under the Albanese Government, organisations can be assured that the process will be transparent and fair, without the lack of documentation, hidden requirements and preference in favour of some regions that were the hallmarks of the BBRF and were heavily criticised by the Australian National Audit Office.”

“We are establishing two new programs, including the Growing Regions Program and are consulting on proper guidelines that people in regional Australia can have trust in.”

Rural City of Murray Bridge chief executive officer Michael Sedgman said the council was actively working to secure funding so it could deliver its stadium masterplan.

“We are in the process of engaging members of the new federal government of where we are at with the project … preliminary engagement has been positive but no promises of money and that process is still in play,” he said.