Dear Beagle Editor
Message from the Minister for SPORT Sport is an important contributor to the economy of regional communities. Whether it is through hosting national, state and regional championships, creating employment opportunities, or the sale of sporting goods and equipment, sport contributes to the success of local economies. Sport provides people in regional communities with a range of invaluable skills such as coaching, umpiring or refereeing, event planning, team management, organising volunteers or being on the board of a local club or association. Sport contributes to the development of cohesive, resilient, liveable and strong communities. Participation in sport also contributes to the health and wellbeing of individuals in regional communities. To maintain and grow our current levels of sport participation in regional communities, we need quality places where people of all ages can participate in a wide range of sports. The Regional Sports Infrastructure fund will assist regional communities to develop spaces for sports to thrive.
The Hon Stuart Ayres Minister for Western Sydney Minister for WestConnex, Minister for Sport
Regional Sports Infrastructure
Established under the NSW Government’s Restart NSW fund to improve economic growth and productivity, and part of the $1.3 billion Regional Growth Fund, the Regional Sports Infrastructure fund will create spaces and facilities that enable communities to enjoy and take part in sport. The Fund will support new and existing venues to improve participation and performance in sports at all levels. The Fund will focus on those sporting facilities that deliver the best outcomes for the community. It will ensure that the best possible value for money is achieved. The Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund will: • increase the number and type of regional sporting facilities • improve the standard of existing regional sporting facilities • increase participation in sport • provide infrastructure that enables economic growth and boosts productivity.
Do you think ESC’s grant applications for a 25m indoor pool in Batemans Bay meet the above criteria? Council has already stated in their Aquatic Strategy adopted by the councillors that our regional swimming events and school carnivals will be held at the 50m Narooma Pool (now nominated as our regional pool) which again disqualifies the proposed Batemans Bay 25m pool from being called a regional sporting facility. If council fails to secure funding, they only have themselves to blame for failing to put up a concept plan for a SPORTS facility as required by the definition and the community will be looking to it for answers.
Name and address withheld
