Queensland budget backs the arts, sport and tourism

The Queensland Government’s budget for the coming year includes significant backing for the arts, sport and recreation, tourism and the Commonwealth Games.

Reversing previous cuts in tourism funding, the budget has earmarked more than $400 million in funding over the next four years for Queensland tourism.

This funding guarantee delivers on Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s election commitment to encourage investment in tourism and events in order to draw visitors to Queensland.

In sport and recreation $176 million will be allocated in 2015/16 to stimulate greater grassroots participation in sport and recreation, maintain Queensland’s elite venues and underpin the racing industry.

In the arts, the Queensland Government has announced a range of new initiatives and funding for the next four years –see Queensland Government delivers $173 million boost for the arts.

Tourism
Commenting on the tourism funding, Queensland Minister for Tourism and Major Events Kate Jones said the four-year funding guarantee for Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) meant the tourism industry could operate with certainty.

Minister Jones stated “TEQ will now be able to plan on a longer-term basis with an assurance that their funding is locked in for the next four years.

“The funding guarantee will enable TEQ to enter into multi-year partnerships and look more strategically at marketing and events investment with tourism and event operators in Queensland’s regions.

“Now TEQ can consider retaining high-value events with longer planning cycles that will deliver better visitation growth.”

The news was welcomed by the Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF), with Chief Executive Margy Osmond stating “reversing the former Government’s planned funding cut was a key ask of TTF in our Queensland election agenda and we are pleased the

Palaszczuk Government has listened to the industry.

“It will also have important flow-on effects for all of the State’s regional tourism organisations and the convention bureaux that rely on funding from Tourism & Events Queensland.”

The Queensland budget also saw the announcement of a $10 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund and $100 million pledge to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

Sport and Recreation
In sport, key initiatives include $15 million this year, with a further $15 million in 2016/17, to build the Queensland State Netball Centre at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre in the Brisbane suburb of Nathan.

Commenting on this funding, Queensland Minister for Sport and Racing Bill Byrne stated “we are working hard to encourage more Queenslanders to play sport and be active and I am convinced that the netball centre is a significant project towards that objective.

“Netball is already the premier sport for women and girls in Queensland and the sport has grown throughout the state.

“More than 50,000 players take to the courts and this State Netball Centre will help to maintain the momentum and the popularity of the sport.

“We have listened to the thousands of players who enjoy netball and acknowledged that the time has come for the government to make a significant investment in the future of the sport that will benefit a new generation of players.”

The Government is also providing increased funding for the Get in the Game initiative, which is helping to provide more Queenslanders the opportunity to participate in a wide range of sporting activities.

Funding of more than $80 million has been approved over the next three years, a $10 million increase over the previous three years.

This includes $55.6 million over three years under programs which provide funds for new and upgraded sport and recreation facilities.

Minister Byrne added “additionally, tens of thousands of children and young people who can least afford the costs involved will be given financial assistance to join a sport or recreation club.”

An amount of $30.8 million has been allocated this year for Stadiums Queensland to maintain nine world class venues, including Suncorp Stadium, the Gabba and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, as well as for the new State Netball Centre while a further $38 million has been allocated in 2015/16 for racing infrastructure projects.

Commonwealth Games 2018
The budget also backs continuing infrastructure roll-out in preparation of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games - with $174.6 million for the development of facilities on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane - and pledged further investment to ensure its legacy beyond the event.

Capital grants of $83.5 million have been set aside for the Carrara Precinct encompassing the Carrara Sport and Leisure Centre and Carrara Indoor Stadium, while $30.8 million has been earmarked for the Coomera Sports and Leisure Centre. In addition, $39.5 million has been allocated to the Queensland State Velodrome for track cycling.

Explaining this, Minister Jones added “this significant outlay reflects the Government’s commitment to investing in infrastructure and facilities for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, which will ensure a high-value legacy for our state.” 

16th July 2015 - QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT DELIVERS $173 MILLION BOOST FOR THE ARTS

28th June 2015 - QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT TO DEVELOP NEW $30 MILLION HOME FOR NETBALL IN BRISBANE

21st January 2015 - POLITICAL RIVALS COMMIT TO TOURISM FUNDING IN QUEENSLAND STATE ELECTION

16th January 2015 - WORK UNDERWAY ON QUEENSLAND STATE VELODROME

15th January 2015 - CALL FOR NEXT QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THE MOST OF MAJOR TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES

5th June 2014 - TOURISM MONIES CUT AS QUEENSLAND BUDGET’S LEISURE FUNDING FOCUSES ON COMMONWEALTH GAMES