Christine Webster, Murray Pioneer

The completion of the $4.6m Waikerie Riverfront Community Hub was celebrated with a Grand Opening at the venue on Saturday, attended by about 100 people.

Waikerie Football Club president Brendan Sidhu officially welcomed those who attended the event, including Barker MP Tony Pasin, Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone, and Elizabeth MP Lee Odenwalder, who represented Premier Peter Malinauskas.

“This facility was 10 years in the making,” Mr Sidhu said.

“It wasn’t something that just happened overnight, but as you can see it has been worth the wait.”

“The project would not have happened without the generous support of Mr Pasin, Mr Whetstone, (Loxton Waikerie) Mayor Trevor Norton, and the unanimous support of the District Council of Loxton Waikerie,” he said.

Mr Sidhu said builder Moffa Wood, and architect Jamie Gladigau, had done “an amazing job”.

He also thanked football club members Gary and Wendy Pfeiler, and Chris and Shane DeVito, for donating pavers for the facility worth thousands of dollars, and all community members who had donated to the project.

“To everyone who has helped along the way, this is a fantastic legacy that you have done for our community,” Mr Sidhu said.

Mr Norton praised the Waikerie Football Club and the contribution local community members made towards developing the facility.

He commended the football club for the way it engaged the community to provide financial and in-kind support to the development.

He said the value of such contributions was worth a considerable amount.

Mr Norton said this included the volunteers who planted a square of lawn, or those who put in rocks or pavers.

“Without it, it just doesn’t happen,” he said.

Mr Norton described the hub as a “jewel for the district”.

“It is a five-star facility for all in this community, and it is an attractor and an economic driver for our district,” he said.

Mr Norton said the completion of the hub demonstrated how the Federal and State Governments, and local councils, could work in partnership to deliver outcomes.

The Federal Government provided $1.5m towards the project from its Building Better Region’s Fund, and the State Government allocated $1.5m through its Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program.

The District Council of Loxton Waikerie provided the Waikerie Football Club an interest-free loan for $1m to be repaid over 30 years, which was subject to receiving the federal grant.

It also provided an additional $600,000 to support the completion of the project and assistance with landscaping budgeted at $80,000.

Council CEO David Beaton described the Waikerie Football Club as a “phenomenal citizen in the district”.

He said instead of seeking increased funding, they looked internally at ways to reduce costs, by making the building they were proposing smaller, and finding ways to contribute financially though donations.

Mr Beaton said council was also able to assist by including the fence, carpark, and upgrade of the sewer system within the council budget.

District Council of Waikerie project manager Daniel Brown reflected on how the hub’s development progressed.

His role was to be a conduit of communication between the football club, council and the head contractor Moffa Wood, who engaged local tradespeople to assist with the construction.

Mr Brown met with the Waikerie Football Club’s redevelopment committee each fortnight throughout the project.

“After a couple of meetings, it was apparent that we had developed a strong appreciation and trust for each other, working together as a great team to bring the project to life,” he said.

“The committee put in an incredible effort to achieve their vision and I know many people wouldn’t realise the thousands of volunteer hours they have put into this project over multiple years.”

Barker MP Tony Pasin, Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone and Elizabeth MP Lee Odenwalder, who represented Premier Peter Malinauskas also all spoke at the official opening of the hub.

Details from their presentations will feature in The Murray Pioneer next week.

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 20 August 2025.
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