David Batt promises Hervey Bay Basketball $500,000

LNP Hinkler candidate David Batt has promised $500,000 to Hervey Bay Basketball to build a canteen, office, female, male and accessible change rooms and bathrooms at the new Nikenbah Sports Complex basketball centre.

Hinkler LNP candidate David Batt with David Littleproud, Leader of The Nationals, and Federal Member for Maranoa.

LNP Hinkler candidate David Batt has promised $500,000 to Hervey Bay Basketball to build a canteen, office, female, male and accessible change rooms and bathrooms at the new Nikenbah Sports Complex basketball centre if he is elected on May 3.

Mr Batt said the complex originally had funding but there was no remaining allocation for the canteen, change rooms, toilets and office.

“Hervey Bay Basketball does an amazing job keeping its 650 members active, engaged and healthy but the cost to deliver new, state-of-the-art facilities is huge and difficult to fund without commitments such as this one I’m making today,” Mr Batt said.

“The new facilities will benefit all users of the multipurpose stadium which runs junior and senior club competitions for males and females, as well as representative programs, to learn basketball, coaching and referee development programs.”

Hervey Bay Basketball president Matthew Baker said the upgrades would enable them to complete their new basketball stadium as a finished project, not just a ‘bare bones stadium’.

Hinkler LNP candidate David Batt with David Littleproud, Leader of The Nationals, and Federal Member for Maranoa.

“While we had initially received funding for the new stadium, costs significantly increased, meaning we couldn’t afford to build those extra facilities,” Mr Baker said.

“This additional funding will ensure the stadium can open fully completed, not having to use other facilities across the road.

“Having the canteen from day one also gives the club an additional income stream instead of relying solely on memberships for income.

“Once complete, the new basketball centre will significantly boost services to our members and spectators, enabling us to attract more regional and state competitions, which boosts the Hervey Bay economy, so we are grateful to David Batt for fighting for and delivering this final part of the new project.”

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud visited Hervey Bay on Thursday and said the commitment was part of the Coalition’s plan to strengthen local communities and to get Australia back on track.

“David Batt is standing up for his local community and ensuring he receives funding for projects that matter to Hinkler - we look forward to having him in our team.”

Originally published as David Batt promises Hervey Bay Basketball $500,000