Parks and Leisure Australia chief calls for urgent facility funding

Australian sport and health will suffer under the new Federal budget if funds are not dedicated to improving facilities such as sports grounds, open spaces and other community infrastructure.

The warning comes from Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) Chief Executive Mark Band who states “this budget will make it tougher for some families to access sport and recreation facilities thus reducing participation in sport and access to physical activity.

“This will lead to poor performance on the international field and increase the risk of poor health, adding to the burgeoning cost of health. There is a large spend on infrastructure, but a larger slice needs to focus on the community facilities to support sport development in our parks and open spaces.”

However, Band does highlight that there were some positives in the budget, with an opportunity to focus funding from the new Medical Research Fund towards preventative health. 

The PLA is the peak national industry association representing parks and recreation professionals, with members working in community, open space recreation, park management, health and sports development, tourism, the arts, research and academia.

The importance of providing public open space and adequate funding for leisure facilities will be addressed at the PLA annual conference being held in Cairns from 24th to 27th August.

For more information on the PLA National Conference contact 08 8332 0130, E: admin@parksleisure.com.au 

Click here to visit the PLA website.

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