$20.6 million sports boost to create jobs, stronger clubs and better facilities

The Brumby Labor Government’s $20.6 million sport facilities, grounds and equipment boost will deliver jobs in maintenance and construction and create stronger clubs in the face of drought, bushfires and the tough global times.

The Minister for Sport and Recreation, James Merlino, said the funding would create healthier communities and jobs, with projects focused on building community sporting facilities and providing equipment to encourage Victorian families to stay healthy.

“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to deliver jobs now and support Victorian families in tough global times, with this budget alone securing up to 35,000 Victorian jobs,” Mr Merlino said.

“The Brumby Labor Government understands that supporting Victoria’s unique sporting culture and our local clubs is crucial to building stronger and more liveable communities.

“Grassroots sport is thriving in Victoria, but many local clubs with a real passion for their sport have outdated facilities and their resources and equipment are the worse for wear.

“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to encourage Victorians to enjoy sport and recreation by providing funds for better facilities, uniforms and equipment.”

The 2009 State Budget will deliver for community sport:

• $5.7 million for new and upgraded local soccer club facilities and pitches through the new Strengthening the World Game program;
• $1.2 million injection into the Country Football and Netball program for upgrades of rural and regional football and netball facilities across the state; and
• $1.7 million to help local sporting clubs buy new uniforms and footwear under the Sporting Uniforms Grant program.

“Victoria has witnessed unprecedented growth in soccer participation and the new Strengthening the World Game program will support new and improved soccer facilities for our local communities,” Mr Merlino said.

The Brumby Labor Government will also continue its investment in building and maintaining world-class sporting facilities to ensure Melbourne remains the sporting capital of the world.

Mr Merlino said the Brumby Labor Government will provide a $7 million contribution towards the development of a state-of-the-art State Basketball Centre in Knox. This project would secure up to 44 jobs in construction.

“The Brumby Labor Government is working shoulder to shoulder with the Rudd Federal Government to make the right investments to see Victorians through the Global Financial Crisis,” Mr Merlino said.

“We will continue to discuss this project with the Rudd Federal Government.

“Melbourne’s south-east has the highest rate of basketball participation in the country and a new stadium will help harness and develop our junior talent for the future.”

The stadium will be home to Basketball Victoria and include multi-purpose indoor sports courts as well as outdoor synthetic grounds. It will host local and regional competitions.

“A new State Basketball Centre will not only provide a state-of-the-art home for basketball but also deliver jobs and support Victorian families,” Mr Merlino said.

He said the Brumby Labor Government would also invest $5 million to progress the masterplan to redevelop Melbourne Park, helping to secure the Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific on Victoria’s world-class calendar of major sporting events.

“The Brumby Labor Government’s record infrastructure investment delivers jobs now and builds for the future for Victorian families,” Mr Merlino said.

A major stadium redevelopment and a piazza-style town square are part of a new vision to ensure Melbourne Park remains a world-class sporting precinct and the home of the Australian Open tennis tournament well into the future.

An international broadcast centre and better media facilities to showcase Melbourne to the world, improved players facilities and more practice courts are also proposed.

“The Australian Open is one of the highlights in Victoria’s major events calendar attracting more than 600,000 people over the tournament. It generates around 1000 equivalent full time jobs and more than $160 million for the Victorian economy,” Mr Merlino said.