Victorian budget confirms investments in sport facilities

The 2016 Victorian budget has confirmed funding to build new indoor sporting arenas, update local grounds and develop flagship venues across the State.

With many items already announced, the budget did include $14 million for the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust in Geelong with the funding directed at the current redevelopment plans for Simonds Stadium.

The Budget also confirmed the previously announced $22 million for the Better Indoor Stadiums Fund and $8 million for the Country Football Netball Program, so that regional clubs can continue to build new facilities, install lights and complete ground or court resurfacing.

The Budget also includes $1.05 million for a new pavilion at Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve and a further $4 million, on top of $12 million announced earlier this year, for upgrades to the St Kilda Football Club’s Moorabbin Oval.

A statement on this explained “the Budget provides ...  for a badly-needed upgrade of the iconic venue, helping the Saints return to their roots and giving local leagues and the whole community a world-class facility for year-round use.”

The statement added “the Victorian Amateur Football Association is Australia’s largest amateur footy league (and) the Budget provides $3 million to transform Elsternwick Park into a state-of-the-art football hub.

“The flagship venue will become a home for the Old Melburnians Football Club, the VAFA Umpires Association and a new women’s league.”

For major events, the budget provides an extra $2 million to continue the Significant Sporting Events Program, which secures more than 70 events for Melbourne and regional Victoria each year.

Commenting on the funding, Victorian Minister for Sport John Eren stated “Victoria is the sporting capital of Australia, with the highest sports participation sports rates in the country, and we want it to stay that way.

“The big events and the star players inspire the youngsters, so we’re adding to our calendar of big sporting meets and bringing the stars of the game closer to our communities.”

In respect of the Better Indoor Stadiums Fund and Country Football Netball Program, Minister Eren added “there’s not enough court space in Victoria to meet the record demand for sports like basketball and netball.”

Moorabbin Oval Redevelopment
Announced earlier this year, the Victorian Government’s $12 million contribution towards the $28.4 million Moorabbin Oval redevelopment will see state-of-the-art training facilities designed for St Kilda Football Club’s top athletes, integrated on the same site as fully accessible facilities for local sporting clubs. The redevelopment will benefit up to 15,000 players.

Images (from top): Knox Basketball, Victorian Minister for Sport John Eren and Moorabbin Oval.

28th April 2016 - INDUSTRY WELCOMES VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN TOURISM

30th March 2016 - KARDINIA PARK STADIUM TRUST UNVEILED

18th April 2016 - $30 MILLION BACKING FOR INDOOR SPORT ARENAS IN VICTORIA

15th December 2015 - FEDERAL FUNDS BACK FRANKSTON BASKETBALL STADIUM EXPANSION

6th May 2015 - VICTORIAN BUDGET BACKS ARTS, SPORT AND VENUES

8th October 2012 - GEMBA TO COMPLETE MOORABBIN OVAL FOOTBALL HUB FEASIBILITY STUDY 

Share your news. If you have industry news that you’d like us to include in Australasian Leisure Management, or if you have any ideas of new industry topics that you’d like us to focus on, then please just contact us at leisure@ausleisure.com.au with details. We rely on industry contributions, and remember, our content is not paid for advertorial.