Victorian budget provides funds for aquatics, events, sport and tourism

As part of a plan to increase tourism spending in Victoria to $36.5 billion every year by 2025, the Victorian Government’s 2017/18 budget is to provide an extra $25 million to Visit Victoria to attract more overseas and domestic visitors.

In addition, a further $20 million will boost Victoria’s Major Events Fund to attract more of the world’s biggest and best cultural and sporting events.

The Victorian budget allocations follow pre-budget commits for the completion of Stage 3 of the Melbourne Park redevelopment, ensuring Melbourne will continue to host the Australian Open until 2036; the planning for a rail link to Melbourne Airport from the CBD; upgrades to all regional rail lines; continued support of the National Gallery of Victoria; and further redevelopment of Kardinia Park in Geelong.

In total, the budget is commiting $332.8 million to improve sports facilities - from grassroots to elite - with the State’s Sports Infrastructure Fund to be bolstered with a further $10 million to give more local clubs the facilities they need to grow.

A $10 million investment for the Victorian Home of Golf and National High Performance Centre will provide a state-of-the-art training, treatment and rehabilitation facility for elite golfers.

The State Sport Centres Trust will also receive $9.6 million to help the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, State Netball and Hockey Centre, and Lakeside Stadium to encourage more people to get active and healthy.

$1.9 million is also being committed to Life Saving Victoria and WorkSafe Victoria for the development of new safety standards for all public swimming pools.

Other key sporting and tourism initiatives include:

• $6 million for new sport and recreation infrastructure, including new netball courts in Yarra Bend Park
• $4.9 million to start planning for the Stage 5 redevelopment of Kardinia Park in Geelong and for the redevelopment of the State Netball and Hockey Centre
• A further $1 million for the Significant Sporting Events Program to keep securing big sporting events
• $6.2 million to improve gender equality in sport, both on and off the field, implementing the nine ‘Game Plan Inquiry’ recommendations and to deliver further ‘Change Our Game’ initiatives.

Welcoming the tourism component of the funding, Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) Chief Executive Brad Ostermeyer said the announcements cement Victoria’s reputation as “the leading state in Australia to host sporting and cultural events.”

He added “it is important that we keep major hallmark events such as the Australian Open, and make the most of cultural assets like the National Gallery of Victoria by developing local programs and events around world-class exhibitions.

“One of VTIC’s policy priorities is for improvements to visitor access and mobility around the state. Improving connectivity between Melbourne and regional destinations is essential to boost visitation across regional Victoria.”

Images: Stage 3 of the Melbourne Park redevelopment (top) and Life Saving Victoria and WorkSafe Victoria will receive $1.9 million for the development of new safety standards for all public swimming pools (below - courtesy of Life Saving Victoria).

23rd April 2017 - STAGE THREE MELBOURNE PARK REDEVELOPMENT TO INCLUDE NEW 5000-SEAT TENNIS ARENA 

24th February 2017 - VICTORIA TOURISM INDUSTRY COUNCIL WELCOMES REDUCED PENALTY RATES

30th January 2017 - 2017 AUSTRALIAN OPEN BREAKS ATTENDANCE RECORDS 

2nd December 2016 - VICTORIAN SCHOOLS TO BE REQUIRED TO MAKE SURE ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN SWIM

28th April 2016 - VICTORIAN BUDGET CONFIRMS INVESTMENTS IN SPORT FACILITIES

6th January 2016 - BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING FOR WOMEN IN SPORT 

1st January 2016 - VICTORIAN SPORT REPORT CALLS FOR BOARDS TO APPOINT WOMEN OR LOSE FUNDING