Published Tuesday, 03 June, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Spence pledges over $78 million in grant funding for Sport and Recreation
Sport Minister Judy Spence has today pledged over $78 million in grant funding to assist build local sport and recreation facilities and fund community based programs.
Ms Spence said: “This major funding injection will assist sport and recreation organisations and councils to encourage Queenslanders to live more active, healthy lifestyles.
“We have a proud record of providing more funding for sport and recreation than any other State Government and today’s budget re-confirms our commitment”, Ms Spence said.
The highlight of the sport and recreation funding package is an additional $20 million which will be made available through the Department of Sport and Recreation’s funding programs over the next three years.
In 2008-09, key commitments include:
• A record $12.5 million for the Minor Facilities Program which will help clubs improve the standard and availability of their local facilities.
• A new $30 million round of the Major Facilities Program to support the development of major community sport and recreation facilities such as aquatic centres, playing fields, and indoor facilities.
“These very popular programs play a critical role in providing the facilities for clubs and communities that enable Queenslanders to get active.
“The Minor Facilities Program budget is being increased from $7.5 million to $12.5 million in response to overwhelming demand from clubs to access funding for new and improved facilities.
“The Major Facilities Program – which helps to build larger scale facilities – will be boosted to $30 million for its next round, which is due to be released soon.
“Sport and recreation play a key role in team building, encouraging self-esteem, creating friendships, strengthening communities and, by encouraging people to be physically active, are an important way to tackle Australia’s growing obesity rates.”
“This is why we are prepared to commit additional funding to encourage more Queenslanders to participate in sport and active recreation” Ms Spence said.
Other sport and recreation funding commitments that will be continued in the Bligh Government’s budget include:
• up to $8 million over four years (as part of a $10 million partnership package with Tennis Queensland) to deliver a network of five regional tennis facilities located in Mount Isa, Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton and Toowoomba;
• $3 million under the Club Development Program to help local clubs provide training and participation programs;
• $5 million to Queensland councils to provide new and improved community recreation and sport facilities (such as walking and cycling paths) and locally based sport and recreation programs and services; and
• $9.7 million to State level sport and recreation organisations to enable them to enhance their services and build participation from the grass roots to the elite level.
“The State Budget will enable us to help more communities across Queensland. We want people to develop a passion for sport and recreation at a young age to carry it through into their adult life” Ms Spence said.
Media contact: 3239 6218
Ms Spence said: “This major funding injection will assist sport and recreation organisations and councils to encourage Queenslanders to live more active, healthy lifestyles.
“We have a proud record of providing more funding for sport and recreation than any other State Government and today’s budget re-confirms our commitment”, Ms Spence said.
The highlight of the sport and recreation funding package is an additional $20 million which will be made available through the Department of Sport and Recreation’s funding programs over the next three years.
In 2008-09, key commitments include:
• A record $12.5 million for the Minor Facilities Program which will help clubs improve the standard and availability of their local facilities.
• A new $30 million round of the Major Facilities Program to support the development of major community sport and recreation facilities such as aquatic centres, playing fields, and indoor facilities.
“These very popular programs play a critical role in providing the facilities for clubs and communities that enable Queenslanders to get active.
“The Minor Facilities Program budget is being increased from $7.5 million to $12.5 million in response to overwhelming demand from clubs to access funding for new and improved facilities.
“The Major Facilities Program – which helps to build larger scale facilities – will be boosted to $30 million for its next round, which is due to be released soon.
“Sport and recreation play a key role in team building, encouraging self-esteem, creating friendships, strengthening communities and, by encouraging people to be physically active, are an important way to tackle Australia’s growing obesity rates.”
“This is why we are prepared to commit additional funding to encourage more Queenslanders to participate in sport and active recreation” Ms Spence said.
Other sport and recreation funding commitments that will be continued in the Bligh Government’s budget include:
• up to $8 million over four years (as part of a $10 million partnership package with Tennis Queensland) to deliver a network of five regional tennis facilities located in Mount Isa, Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton and Toowoomba;
• $3 million under the Club Development Program to help local clubs provide training and participation programs;
• $5 million to Queensland councils to provide new and improved community recreation and sport facilities (such as walking and cycling paths) and locally based sport and recreation programs and services; and
• $9.7 million to State level sport and recreation organisations to enable them to enhance their services and build participation from the grass roots to the elite level.
“The State Budget will enable us to help more communities across Queensland. We want people to develop a passion for sport and recreation at a young age to carry it through into their adult life” Ms Spence said.
Media contact: 3239 6218