NSW budget maintains funding for arts, sport and tourism

This week’s NSW budget has maintained funding for its arts, recreation, sport and tourism portfolios.

Announced on Tuesday (17th June), the budget includes the following spending:

Sport and Recreation

$117 million for grassroots sports, sporting facilities and infrastructure and programs across NSW with infrastructure investment including:

• $5 million over two years for a second motor racing circuit at Mount Panorama in Bathurst;

• $3 million over two years to upgrade the Lithgow Aquatic Centre; and

• $1.5 million to the network of 10 Regional Academies of Sport.

Funding for sporting organisations to make their programs accessible to people with a disability.

Commenting on the funding, NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation Stuart Ayres explained “the impact of sport can be measured by so much more than kilometres run or calories burnt. It brings communities together, creates support networks for people feeling isolated and improves the overall wellbeing of participants.

“We will deliver close to $1 million over two years to assist rugby league clubs at all levels to improve the quality, availability and standard of facilities through the NSW Footy Facilities Fund. This may include spending on items such as new seating, goal posts, canteens, lights, fields, fencing or dressing rooms.

“The Sport and Recreation grant programs will continue, including support for sporting infrastructure and events which bring participation opportunities for athletes and volunteers to local communities.

“Sport and Recreation will invest $7.8 million to ensure its 11 Sport and Recreation Centres and former Olympic venues such as the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, the Sydney International Shooting Centre and the Sydney International Regatta Centre can continue to provide top-quality outdoor education experiences for children and young people along with fantastic facilities for families and organisations.”

Arts

Having cut arts funding in previous years in officer, the NSW Government has budgeted $311 million for the culture sector in 2014/15– the same amount as in 2013/14.

The budget includes the tightening of recurrent funding of the arts while upgrading or expanding the homes of the major cultural institutions.

The capital works funding includes:

• $49 million for infrastructure upgrades to cultural institutions including the Sydney Opera House, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (Powerhouse Museum) and State Library of NSW;

• $14 million to advance the plans for the Sydney Opera House renewal project; and

• $11 million to allow the Art Gallery of NSW to proceed with the next stages of planning for major works.

The Art Gallery of NSW will use the money for feasibility and engineering studies, leading to a national and international competition to select an architect to design the new Sydney Modern.

The Sydney Modern expansion will feature new dynamic spaces for major exhibitions and collection displays including additional space for a broader experience of Aboriginal art and culture, a cinematheque, learning centre, expanded restaurants, cafes and events spaces, and a rooftop garden and terrace building. (Click here for more information on the Sydney Modern concept).

The Australian Museum will receive $4.7 million over two years to transform the gallery and a further $2.5 million will support dramatic changes including a new main entrance from William Street, relocating the cafe to the roof, and new major gallery space on the College Street side.

Tourism

In tourism, the 2014/15 budget for Destination New South Wales will be $130.8 million, including $124.8 million in government funding, on par with 2013/14.

The maintenance of funding for Destination NSW has been welcomed by pro-development lobby group Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF), with TTF Chief Executive Ken Morrison stating “the (NSW) Government’s focus on the visitor economy is working and today’s budget maintains its investment in Destination New South Wales.

“Consistent funding for Destination New South Wales allows the agency to continue to market the state at home and abroad and continue to develop its outstanding events calendar.

“This backs up the government’s $110 million Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund and its investment in the International Convention Centre Sydney, now under construction at Darling Harbour.

“It will allow NSW to retain the current momentum which has seen growth in domestic and international visitor numbers, nights and spending at rates well above the national average, which underscores that investing in the visitor economy is the right strategy for the state.”

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