- Published:
- Tuesday 24 November 2020
Families have missed so much this year. The Andrews Labor Government wants to make sure Victorians can get back to the things they love – enjoyed with the people they love – with a $164 million investment in sport and recreation.
The Victorian Budget 2020/21 continues the Labor Government’s investment in grassroots sport – so more Victorians can get back on the field.
The Budget provides a $110 million boost to the Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program, which works with local councils and clubs to fast-track shovel-ready projects.
This investment builds on the $68 million in the first round of the fund, which has supported 27 projects across Victoria including a new sports and community hub at Debneys Park in Flemington, a major multisport development at Clyde Recreation Reserve and the redevelopment of the Knox Regional Netball Centre.
The Budget also includes $27 million to make sure our sports facilities are more accessible to more people.
More than a third of that investment will build more female-friendly facilities – so women and girls don’t have to deal with substandard changerooms and toilets. A further $5 million will improve access at community football and netball clubs, and $3 million will install better lighting and new scoreboards.
Sport in Mildura will receive a major boost with $10 million for the Mildura South Regional Sports Precinct, a project that enjoys widespread support across Sunraysia, delivering a new oval for footy and cricket, courts and clubrooms.
A further $6 million will go to the popular Sporting Club Grants Program, building on the more than $5.9 million already kicked in by the Labor Government for more than 4,300 clubs across the state.
To help more children get back into sport, the Budget funds a Victorian-first program that will give 100,000 kids vouchers to buy uniforms, equipment and memberships their families would otherwise struggle to afford.
The $21 million Get Active Kids Voucher Program will remove barriers to youngsters enjoying all the benefits of participating in sport and recreation.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence
“After months cooped up inside, we’re helping Victorians of all ages get back to the activities they love.”
“Money, gender or disability should not be a barrier to getting involved in community sport – that’s why we’re investing in accessible, inclusive facilities across the state.”
“We’re backing dozens of shovel-ready projects at parks and grounds across the state – creating jobs and aiding our economic recovery while also creating spaces for local communities to enjoy and connect.”