Budget creates sport and recreation opportunities

The Palaszczuk Government will provide $151 million in the 2016-2017 budget to create more opportunities for Queenslanders to get involved in sport and active recreation and ensure our reputation for producing world class athletes continues.

Treasurer and Minister for Sport, Curtis Pitt, said $41.8 million would be provided to Stadiums Queensland for operations and maintenance of our world-class sporting and events facilities.

“This includes $15 million as part of a $30 million commitment to develop and build a state netball facility at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre in Brisbane in partnership with Netball Queensland,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Pitt said the Budget also continued funding for a number of existing projects and programs, with a particular focus on encouraging Queenslanders to be more active and healthy.

“As a government, we will continue to work with clubs, state sporting organisations and industry partners to increase participation opportunities for all Queenslanders.

“The very popular Get in the Game initiative will continue to produce great results for Queensland clubs and families through Get Going Clubs, Get Playing Places and Spaces, Get Playing Plus and Get Started Vouchers.”

The 2016-2017 sport and recreation budget highlights include:

- $48 million across all four Get in the Game programs:
o $26 million—Get Playing Plus for major sports infrastructure
o $12.8 million—Get Playing Places and Spaces community sports infrastructure
o $5.6 million—Get Started Vouchers to encourage more young Queenslanders to become active and involved in sports
o $3.6 million—Get Going Clubs to promote sports participation.

- $19.4 million—working with industry partners and the community to deliver services to increase participation in sport and recreation for all Queenslanders

- $5.9 million—investment in priority capital upgrade projects across a number of recreation centres, sports houses and sports grounds

- $3.5 million—to support the planning and delivery of fit-for-purpose sport and recreation infrastructure across local, regional and remote communities

Mr Pitt said funding would also be considered to support investigations to improve safety in combat sports, as well as Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth athletes based at the Queensland Academy of Sport.

“Our Queensland athletes are in the midst of their preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games in August, and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games are not far behind.

“We will offer as much support as possible to ensure our athletes are provided with the opportunities to achieve their very best,” Mr Pitt said.

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