Sport and recreation spending to support greater grassroots participation

Published Tuesday, 14 July, 2015 at 03:40 PM

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and Minister for Sport and Racing
The Honourable Bill Byrne

 
Sport and recreation spending to support greater grassroots participation

The Palaszczuk Government will spend $176 million in 2015-16 to stimulate greater grassroots participation in sport and recreation, maintain Queensland’s elite venues and underpin the racing industry.

Key initiatives include $15 million this year, with a further $15 million in 2016-17, to build a State Netball Centre at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre at Nathan in Brisbane.

Minister for Sport and Racing Bill Byrne said the project would create approximately 100 jobs in the construction phase.

“We are working hard to encourage more Queenslanders to play sport and be active and I am convinced that the netball centre is a significant project towards that objective.

“Netball is already the premier sport for women and girls in Queensland and the sport has grown throughout the state.

“More than 50,000 players take to the courts and this State Netball Centre will help to maintain the momentum and the popularity of the sport.

“We have listened to the thousands of players who enjoy netball and acknowledged that the time has come for the government to make a significant investment in the future of the sport that will benefit a new generation of players.”

The Government is also providing increased funding for the Get in the Game initiative, which is helping to provide more Queenslanders the opportunity to participate in a wide range of sporting activities.

Funding of more than $80 million has been approved over the next three years, a $10 million increase over the previous three years.

This includes $55.6 million over three years under programs which provide funds for new and upgraded sport and recreation facilities.

“Additionally, tens of thousands of children and young people who can least afford the costs involved will be given financial assistance to join a sport or recreation club,” Mr Byrne said.

An amount of $30.8 million has been allocated this year for Stadiums Queensland to maintain nine world class venues, including Suncorp Stadium, the Gabba and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, and for the Government’s contribution towards the new State Netball Centre.

A further $38 million has been allocated in 2015-16 for racing infrastructure projects.

Media contact: Michelle Connolly 0478 325 738