Late last week Member for Lyne David Gillespie pledged up to $225,000 to community groups across the electorate. 

This included Federal funds for Stroud Showground, Nabiac’s sportsfield lights, Tea Gardens Marine Drive Reserve and Bulahdelah Activity Park upgrades... if the Coalition is re-elected. 

The last Federal pre-election promise Nabiac received was from Labor candidate Jim Arneman in 2007, when he successfully pledged $135,000 to help get the community’s 20-year pool project over the line.

So Nabiac’s David Weller, president of the Wallamba Football Club, was quick to point out the swimming pool’s pledge when David Gillespie walked into his shop front recently.

“He said:  “What do you need”. I said:  “Well actually, we need up to $800,000 to fix up our sportsfield.”

Topping that list over new toilets and a canteen are the lighting facilities, which prevent night games from being held at the Aub Ferris grounds, which hosts a range of sporting codes.

“We need to make the game available to the people who want to play, when they’re available,”  Mr Weller said.

For night games, lighting poles must rise to 18 metres, with either 12 halogen or eight LED lights.

“We need to balance the long term costs versus the short term costs,” Mr Weller said, in favour of the LED lights which cost more up front but less in the long term.

It’s not $800,000, but Dr Gillespie has found $50,000 towards the lights and will meet with council about the buildings later.

Tea Gardens Marine Drive Reserve Recreation facilities project would receive $25,000 on top of council’s $50,000 for the waterfront’s undercover seating and an outdoor gym equipment. 

Bulahdelah Community Park upgrade would get $50,000 towards Rotary skate park, outdoor gym equipment and a wide "roadway" path. Stroud Showground would have $100,000 for its sporting and community facilities.Then of course there’s the $1.5 million for the Taree Recreation Centre.

Remember, just ask for it in election time.