23/12/01
The first ever plan for facilities to host sport up to international standard, new venues, a boost for community sport and recreation and moves to make certain sports safer are among this year's achievements in the area Sport and Recreation Minister Alan Carpenter said today.
"Despite a tight budget, an extra $9.9million over four years will be spent on sport and recreation," Mr Carpenter said.
"A sound basis has been put in place to nurture sport and recreation at the community and elite level that will pay dividends to the State for years to come.
"This Government has been prepared to tackle the difficult issues and make the decisions to ensure Western Australians have opportunities to be active and have high quality, sustainable facilities."
Mr Carpenter said achievements in Sport and Recreation this year include:
Facilities:
The first State Sporting Facility Plan ever developed in WA to identify areas of need:
Progress on major facility developments includes:
- development has commenced on a State Baseball Centre ($1.5million Government funding) at Tom Bateman Reserve, Gosnells;
- In principle agreement for:
- a State Indoor Stadium at Leederville Oval;
- soccer/rugby stadium at Perth Oval;
- development of a new State athletics centre, State basketball centre and State rugby union headquarters at AK Reserve adjacent to Challenge Stadium; and
- provide an extra $1.25million to bring the Community Sporting and Recreation Fund to $9million. These funds support the development of new and the upgrade of existing sport and recreation facilities throughout the State.
Sport development:- allocated $8.7m in 2000-01 through the Sport Lottery Account to support sport development via sporting organisations;
- $6.5million of the 2001-02 Sport Lottery Account budget has been allocated to sport in WA through the new 'one round funding' system. A further $2-2.5million will be allocated by the end of this financial year;
- allocated $100,000 worth of scholarships in partnership with Healthway in regional WA - the majority of funding supported talented 15-16-year-olds to travel to access training and competition opportunities;
- increase of $75,000 a year to the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme. $150,000 of the $225,000 available has gone towards taking high profile events and athletes to regional WA. The events include WAFL games in Kalgoorlie, Albany, Bruce Rock and Collie; a Perth Glory game in Kalgoorlie; a basketball tour with James Crawford and other Wildcats; a squash tournament in Narrogin and the Yvonne Goollagong tennis tour;
- increased service delivery capability in regional WA through our upgraded statewide structure (extra $400,000 a year) and -
- increased resource support for the Indigenous Sport Program through the Australian Sports Commission and ATSIC supporting nine sport development officers and programs in remote areas of WA.
Policies: - physical Activity Taskforce Strategy to increase physical activity by five per cent over 10 years endorsed by Cabinet;
- underwater diving codes;
- sports Drug Testing Act 2001 passed through Parliament - it is still to be proclaimed;
- amendment to the Boxing Control Act to include other professional combat sports;
- codes of conduct for athletes/coaches promoted;
- Sport and Recreation Industry Conference - promoting best practice involved delegates from all areas of WA;
- Sport and Recreation Industry Awards - celebrating achievements, best practice, management and program innovation in the industry;
- High Performance Plan for WA Sport - due for completion in December 2001; and
- integration of Sport International WA / Recreation Camps and Reserves Board into Department of Sport and Recreation.
Programs:- extra funding to reinstate women's softball and men's and women's water polo into the WA Institute of Sport;
- coaching - education and training and Alcoa Coach in Residence program to bring renowned coaches to WA;
- officiating - allocation of $100,000 in grants to State sporting associations to support officials development, training and education;
- trails - An extra $500,000 over the next 12 months to further develop trails Conduct of a State Trails Conference;
- Academy of Sport - significant grants to State sporting associations to assist talented athletes in remote areas access training and skill development opportunities; and
- successful celebration of International Year of Volunteers - recognition events, State-wide community education programs, resource development.
Minister's office: 9213 6800
