$40 million to help keep Canberrans healthy and active

A re-elected ACT Labor Government will invest an extra $40 million in new capital and recurrent expenditure on sporting infrastructure and services to ensure Canberrans continue to benefit from being the most active and healthy community in Australia.

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope joined Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Andrew Barr, to make the announcement today.  ACT Labor will:

• Invest $20 million to fund the construction of a new aquatic and recreation centre for Gungahlin;
• Invest $8.5 million to deliver stage two of the Lyneham Sports Precinct;
• Invest $3 million to develop a basketball centre for excellence including a stadium and player amenities for the Canberra Capitals, Gunners and club basketball teams;
• Invest $2.5 million to help establish Canberra’s A‐League football team once the bid is successful;
• Invest $2 million to re-develop the Belconnen Magpies AFL Club’s Kippax fields and improve the community amenities this facility offers;
• Support the Brumbies with $1 million to fund improvements to Griffith Oval and provide an additional $265,000 to secure their ongoing presence in the nation's capital;
• Invest $800,000 to help ACT school kids get active and healthy through the SmartStart program;
• Invest $670,000 to upgrade and expand the Woden Gymnastics club;
• Invest an additional $660,000 over four years to support our National League Teams;
• Invest $200,000 to begin the feasibility and design work for a pool in the new community of Molonglo and Weston Creek;
• Invest an additional $300,000 to support the important work of the Children’s Physical Activity Foundation; and
• Invest $225,000 over four years to give 15 young Canberrans each year the opportunity to complete an Australian School Based Apprenticeship in the sport and recreation industry.

“Canberra is a great sporting city. We are the most physically active city in Australia and our community values the fantastic facilities and natural environment we have to utlise.

“ACT Labor recognises the role sport and sporting clubs play in the life of Canberrans. Investing in sport at any level is an investment in the health and well‐being of our community and we have a good record of supporting our local sport and recreation clubs, as well as our elite athletes.

“Our commitment today is to build on our record and invest $40 million in providing Canberrans with the best facilities and expanded opportunities for participation in sport and recreation.” Mr Stanhope said.

Minister for Sport and Recreation, Andrew Barr, said Labor’s sports policy strikes a good balance between supporting our elite athletes and providing support for local clubs and local facilities.

“Canberrans are keen participants in sport and recreation and also keen supporters of our local elite teams such as the Brumbies, Raiders and Capitals,

“Today’s policy delivers support for our local, grass roots, sport and recreation industry through support for the Woden Valley Gymnastics Club and the Belconnen Magpies AFL Club as well as funding to provide children with more opportunities for participation through school sport and PE,

“It also provides $3.7 million in extra funding for our elite sporting teams to support them as they strive for excellence.

“In a win for both our elite teams and our local clubs and community, we will invest heavily in improving our sporting infrastructure through the establishment of a basketball centre for excellence and a major investment in expanding the Lyneham Sports Precinct.

“In recognition of the sport and recreation needs of our growing communities, ACT Labor will build a pool in Gungahlin and undertake the feasibility and design of a pool for the people of Molonglo and Weston Creek.” Mr Barr said.

Mr Stanhope said only ACT Labor can deliver these promises because of our strong economic management. “ACT Labor’s responsible economic management has put the ACT Government’s finances on a sustainable footing allowing us to make this funding available to the ACT’s sporting associations, clubs and community groups,

“Only ACT Labor has both the record of responsible financial management and the commitment to sport and the health and wellbeing of Canberrans to see this $40 million investment become a reality.” Mr Stanhope said.