Pambula and Bega sporting master plans may take longer to implement than many thought.
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After several sporting clubs raised concerns about an apparent lack of progress of state government funding being handed to Bega Valley Shire Council, the council has confirmed it could take three years to fully roll out.
"It is likely the funding will be staged over the next three financial years - with resurfacing and covering the Merimbula [basketball] courts being the first project planned to get underway," council's director of assets and operations Anthony McMahon said.
Mr McMahon said council was working with the Office of Sport to finalise "funding deed" details, which would outline the timeframe for delivery of funding.
Merimbula Basketball president Cliff Scarlett raised concerns last week saying the club was eager to put the works to tender as they had a limited window.
"We need to get works underway by April as to not impact future competitions," Mr Scarlett said.
"We're grateful to council and the state government for the funding, but it's a lengthy process and we need to get the tender process started."
Member for Bega Andrew Constance announced the state government would be fully funding the Pambula, Merimbula and Bega developments in February, and reaffirmed that commitment this week.
"A letter confirming the funding for the three announced projects has been received by BVSC," Mr Constance said. "They will work with the Department to finalise the funding deeds for the three projects."
"My position is to see these three projects completed in consultation with our community user groups to ensure we get the best possible outcome."
Mr McMahon confirmed receipt of the government's commitment - albeit with "a low level of detail" - with the Office of Sport now working with council to finalise the deeds.
He said council would know more about the handover of funds when the deeds were finalised, but said funds were not normally paid until the completion of certain milestones, not upfront.
Mr Scarlett said none of the clubs were alerted to such potentially long upgrade schedules.
Mr McMahon said BVSC had not been directly contacted by any sporting group seeking council to handover funds towards the project.