Lead up to NSW election sees roll out of leisure project funding pledges

With the NSW state election approaching on 25th March, the incumbent NSW Government has made a slew of ongoing announcements and election funding pledges for a range of initiatives - with projects covering the arts, parks, recreation, sport and venues featuring prominently.

However, as announcements often coincide and overlap, for voters it can be difficult to determine what is an election campaign pledge and what is committed NSW Government funding.

For example, the latest announcement of a $15 million grant for the GWS Giants to build a centre of excellence at Sydney Olympic Park is firm while $11 million for Cricket NSW and the North Sydney Bears' proposal to upgrade the North Sydney Oval is an election pledge.

Similarly, $40 million for the redevelopment of Parramatta's Riverside Theatres is firm while a further $23 million in funding for Surf Life Saving NSW is dependent on the current Liberal National Government remaining in power.

Many announcements have related to the WestInvest program (itself funded by the WestConnex motorway scheme), which has included $5 billion of infrastructure projects for Western Sydney.

However, as the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), the peak body representing councils in Greater Western Sydney, has pointed out, residents of the area will be paying $276 billion in tolls to West Connex over the next 40 years.

WSROC President, Councillor Barry Calvert explained “it should be pointed out that (this) is money going to a private company, paid by people who are suffering an already high cost of living.

“If the WestConnex roads had stayed in public hands that income could have been available for hospitals, schools and public transport.

“WSROC’s own exhaustive advocacy has achieved significant outcomes via the WestInvest program, including securing more than $536 million in reinvestment from the NSW Government’s WestConnex motorway scheme sale proceeds for a range of projects, including:

• More than $125 million for projects in the Liverpool City Council region, including high street activations, a major park project and the Carnes Hill Aquatic and Leisure Centre project.

• $121 million for the Hawkesbury City Council community for upgrades to cycleways, the Oasis Aquatic and Leisure Centre and Richmond Swimming Centre, the North Richmond Community Precinct and other projects.

• $25 million for the Blue Mountains City region, including creating active transport links, kilometres of walking trails and shared paths, and the new Cultural Hub for the Eleanor Dark Foundation

• More than $260 million for projects in the Blacktown City Council area, including the Blacktown Aquatic Centre redevelopment, the new First Nations Community Centre at Mount Druitt, the Seven Hills Community Resource Hub, and the Mount Druitt Swimming Centre redevelopment.

Funding for State Sporting Organisations 
By contrast, NSW Labor has announced a commitment that, if elected, they will increase organisation support funding for state sporting organisations.

Its pledge backs calls made late last year by Sport NSW which, releasing its ‘Playing Catch Up Report’, requested an increase from the current level of funding for state sport, a level that has not changed since the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

NSW Labor has agreed to step up funding from $2.55 million to $5 million in 2023/24 and $10 million per year in the years after as a part of multi-year agreements.

Acknowledging Labor’s response to the report, Sport NSW Chairperson, Chris Hall stated “Sport NSW welcomes (the) announcement that NSW Labor have committed to increasing the Organisational Support Payment for sports.

“These payments have been frozen in time since the year 2000 which has meant inflation has eaten away at these grants by over 67%.”

NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns recognised the challenges facing community sport in the state, advising “sports organisations and clubs are often held together by the passion of volunteers, parents and families and it’s time that we had modern funding arrangements to match the modern challenges faced by these groups.

“This funding will help improve programs and increase female participation and leadership pathways right across sport in NSW.”

Click here to view Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils' paper on WestConnex funding.

Image: $11 million for Cricket NSW and the North Sydney Bears' proposal to upgrade the North Sydney Oval is a NSW election pledge from the Liberal Nationals.