Kempsey skydiving adventure park: Auditor signs off on canopy swoop, rock climbing
A multimillion-dollar Skydiving Adventure Park, paid for by a joint State and Federal Government Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, here’s how.
Mid-North Coast
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Kempsey Shire Council will proceed with plans for its skydiving adventure park, despite criticism suggesting that the funds used to deliver the project are not being invested appropriately.
As the council prepares to lodge an official development application for the $11 million project this month, CEO Craig Milburn spoke with the Mid-North Coast News to address issues surrounding the project funding.
Late last year NSW Opposition MP and committee member Courtney Houssos said the NSW government needed to explain why the Kempsey Shire Council was awarded millions in economic fire relief for the project which was designed before the bushfires occurred.
It was revealed the council had applied for funding for the project on two other occasions, before it was successful in obtaining a grant via the joint government Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, which has been divvied up between councils to stimulate economic recovery from the 2019 fires.
Mr Milburn said any suggestions that the funds were not being used for their intended means were not accurate. He noted that an independent auditor assessed the project on its merits and said it was a worthy spend of taxpayers’ money.
“We had an independent company do a business case for it to see whether it stacked up,” he said.
“They saw it stacked up, then we had the State Government economists and engineers review it in extensive detail, and they saw it as stacking up as part of their evaluation process.
“Outside of council, we had at least two other groups who said it stacked up.”
“The actual name of the fund is called the Bushfire Economic Recovery Fund, so it’s about creating economic stimulus – that’s what the program is designed to do. It will stimulate the economy for areas hit by fire and this is one of the projects that allows that to occur.
“It will provide us with a broad based, economic benefit.”
Oxley state Nationals MP Melinda Pavey announced the $11 million project in October, alongside Nationals Federal MP Pat Conaghan.
It will be built at Kempsey Airport and include skydiving training facilities; a canopy swoop pond; canopy piloting hangar; an indoor rock climbing gym; amenities and accommodation facilities.
The project will provide a major attraction to the region and help promote the Macleay Valley to thrill seeking tourists looking for that extra bit of holidaying adventure.
Mr Milburn said the council expects to lodge a DA for the project at the end of March, before it goes before the Northern Joint Region Planning Panel for determination.
Depending on the success of the application, the project will commence construction in the fourth quarter of 2021. It is expected to be complete and ready for commercial, private and public use by 2022.
“This is going to appeal to tourists, and also the elite sides of the sports industry both nationally and internationally,” Mr Milburn said.
“It’s very, very strong opportunity for us to make bit more of a mark in terms of the valley and what we have to offer.
“The grant is literally for the construction of the facility, but then you’ll have private management of it so you’ll have local people working within the facility with a range of skilled people and casual people who’ll be operating it.
“Tenders we’re hoping to get out by the third quarter of this year, and then have construction start hopefully by the end of the year. Things like the canopy pond, the sewer, will probably all be done by the end of this year.”
Mr Milburn said there’s keen interest from the professionals operating in the rock climbing and canopy swooping space who are ready to make use of it once operational.
“We’ve been talking since day one to the Australian Parachute Federation, and we’ve had up to five of the top canopy pilots who have come to the Macleay Valley to do some test sky dives to make sure it was suitable.
“That was back in late 2018, and we’ve continued to have that engagement with them right through. We’ve also worked closely with Coffs skydiving.
“It’s been great having that direct level of expertise in the project right from day one.
“We’ve also been working with the Australian and NSW sports climbing federations, and also the international sports climbing federation who’ve got their base in Italy.
“Both parachuting and rock climbing are very excited about the facility because it will be one of the best in the country. They’ll be looking at team training and events at that elite level.”
Ms Pavey said The Macleay Valley is fast becoming one of NSW’s top destinations for an adventure sport holiday, with beautiful surfing beaches, fantastic diving, mountain biking and paddle boarding,” Ms Pavey said.
“The Skydiving Adventure Park will help to cement this status.”
The adrenaline-pumping adventure precinct will suit those with a high-energy personality looking for their next rush.
It will also help significantly boost the region’s economic profile, which was hit hard during the Mid-North Coast bushfire crisis.
“This exciting new infrastructure project will immediately create around 33 construction jobs and once complete, it will provide approximately 60 employment opportunities, directly associated with running the facility,” Ms Pavey said.
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan welcomed the first round of Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund being awarded and wanted to remind residents another grant opportunity was open until 27 October.
“As residents and businesses continue recovering from the devastating 2019-20 bushfires, our Federal and State Nationals Governments are backing projects like this adventure park to provide job opportunities and support the region’s future prosperity,” he said.
“Kempsey already has a lot to offer visitors in its picturesque location beside the Macleay River and its history.
“This adventure park will attract new visitors who want to experience extreme sport and they will stay in Kempsey’s motels and hotels and spend in the town.”
Kempsey Shire Mayor, Liz Campbell, said councillors resolved to seek funding support for the project at the December 2019 council meeting after it was presented to council and the Economic Development and Tourism Committee.
“The Macleay Valley Skydiving Adventure Park has been identified as a key project in Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Strategy,” Cr Campbell said.
“The Strategy was put on public exhibition before being adopted by council at the October 2019 meeting.
“To have this exciting project fully funded, makes it a reality to deliver an ongoing economic boost to the Macleay Valley’s tourism sector and the local community.
EARLIER:
Sky-high: multimillion-dollar adventure park takes off
October 29, 2020
Tourists travelling to the beautiful Macleay Valley, and those living closer to home, will soon be able to test their limits at a new $11 million Skydiving Adventure Park to be built at Kempsey Airport.
The multimillion-dollar facility is being funded by the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, a co-funded arrangement by the NSW and Commonwealth governments that seeks to provide bushfire ravaged communities with economic assistance.
Oxley state Nationals MP Melinda Pavey announced the $11.2 million project, which will include skydiving training facilities; a canopy swoop pond; canopy piloting hangar; an indoor rock climbing gym; amenities and accommodation facilities.
The project will provide a major attraction to the region and help promote the Macleay Valley to thrill seeking tourists looking for that extra bit of holidaying adventure.
“The Macleay Valley is fast becoming one of NSW’s top destinations for an adventure sport holiday, with beautiful surfing beaches, fantastic diving, mountain biking and paddle boarding,” Ms Pavey said.
“The Skydiving Adventure Park will help to cement this status.”
The adrenaline-pumping adventure precinct will suit those with a high-energy personality looking for their next rush.
It will also help significantly boost the region’s economic profile, which was hit hard during the Mid-North Coast bushfire crisis.
“This exciting new infrastructure project will immediately create around 33 construction jobs and once complete, it will provide approximately 60 employment opportunities, directly associated with running the facility,” Ms Pavey said.
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan welcomed the first round of Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund being awarded and wanted to remind residents another grant opportunity was open until 27 October.
“As residents and businesses continue recovering from the devastating 2019-20 bushfires, our Federal and State Nationals Governments are backing projects like this adventure park to provide job opportunities and support the region’s future prosperity,” he said.
“Kempsey already has a lot to offer visitors in its picturesque location beside the Macleay River and its history.
This adventure park will attract new visitors who want to experience extreme sport and they will stay in Kempsey’s motels and hotels and spend in the town.”
Kempsey Shire Mayor, Liz Campbell, said councillors resolved to seek funding support for the project at the December 2019 Council meeting after it was presented to Council and the Economic Development and Tourism Committee.
“The Macleay Valley Skydiving Adventure Park has been identified as a key project in Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Strategy,” Cr Campbell said.
“The Strategy was put on public exhibition before being adopted by Council at the October 2019 meeting.
“To have this exciting project fully funded, makes it a reality to deliver an ongoing economic boost to the Macleay Valley’s tourism sector and the local community.”
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