Andrew Barr

Sporting industry contributes $245 million to ACT economy

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 12 August 2010 - 12:23pm
A new report shows sport contributes around $245 million a year to the ACT economy and provides full time work for around 2,860 Canberrans.
 
The Access Economics study called Building an Active Community also finds that around 27,000 Canberrans contribute more than three million hours annually to voluntary roles in the sector.
 
The study shows that participation in sport and recreation saves the community $84.5 million in associated health costs, and that halving the current rate of physical inactivity across the ACT could save up to an extra $47.2 million a year.
 
The economic and health benefits of all forms of sport justify ACT Labor’s significant investment in the industry and in facilities such as Stromlo Forest Park, community sporting infrastructure and major stadia.
 
This report shows that in the areas ranging from preventative health, to skills development, to pure economic benefit, physical activity driven by sport and recreational activities provide massive benefits to the Canberra community.
 
Canberra’s sport and recreation infrastructure is amongst the best in the country allowing us to host major events such as the Pacific School Games, Kanga Cup and World Mountain Bike Championships. These attract people from interstate and overseas and provide significant economic stimulus. The 2009 World Mountain Bike Championships alone injected $8 million into our economy.
 
ACT Labor understands the importance of providing sports funding from the grassroots to the elite level.
 
Whether its ensuring the under 8 soccer team has a good oval to practice and play on, to ensuring teams like the Brumbies, Raiders, Capitals and Darters are supported in succeeding on the world stage, it’s all about ensuring Canberrans get the benefits of an active lifestyle by providing excellent facilities for all, and great role-models to young Canberrans in particular.
 
ACT Labor understands the importance of the sporting industry to the ACT’s economy and cultural life and we’ll continue to support it from the grass roots up.
 
The full report and executive summary can be found on the Sport and Recreation Services website - www.tams.act.gov.au/play/sport_and_recreation.
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