No. 24

TOURISM, SPORT AND RECREATION FOR THE FUTURE

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Andrew Barr said the Stanhope Government’s 2008-2009 Budget provides an extra $20.5 million over four years to enhance Canberra’s sporting future, as well as attract more people to the National Capital.

Mr Barr said the Government will invest in:
•	Harrison district playing fields ($1 million)
•	Designing the Throsby playing fields and netball centre ($600,000)
•	Forward design of an enclosed oval for Gungahlin ($400,000)
•	Feasibility for a new swimming pool in Gungahlin ($100,000)
•	Stage one of the Lyneham sports precinct ($8.6 million)
•	Designing new player facilities at Canberra Stadium ($250,000)
•	Investigating designs for new stands at Manuka Oval ($500,000)
•	Examining commercial growth at Stromlo Forest Park ($100,000)
•	Upgrading facilities at Stromlo Forest Park ($1.7 million)
•	Investigating building accommodation and a chair lift at Stromlo Forest Park ($300,000)
•	Additional tree planting and landscaping at Stromlo Forest Park ($230,000)
•	Implementation of a tourism e-strategy and upgrade of the tourism website ($300,000)
•	An enhanced stall for the Australian Tourism Exchange ($146,000)
•	The Australian Science Festival accommodation ($208,000)
•	An enhanced Events Assistance Program ($257,000)
•	A physical activity program for the disabled and the aged ($612,000)
•	Investigating a permanent site for Floriade ($65,000)
•	Additional visitor attractions at Tidbinbilla and Birrigai Outdoor school ($2.2 million)
•	Examining a new convention centre ($250,000)
•	A portable tourism information booth ($75,000)
•	Support for the World Mountain Bike Championships ($576,000)
•	Bringing the Rugby League World Cup to Canberra ($28,000)
•	Reintroducing the sports loan subsidy scheme ($781,000)
•	Expanding the Canberra Festival of Running ($200,000)
•	Enhancements for Phillip Oval ($1.2 million)

“Since 2001, the Stanhope Government has invested heavily to ensure Canberra continues to have the facilities we need to remain the most physically active community in Australia,” Mr Barr said. “The ACT Government realises how important it is for people of all ages to get active and stay active if they are to lead healthy, happy and productive lives into the future.

“In this Budget we are investing in a range of projects, not only to ensure Canberrans are ready for an active future but also to attract sporting events, sports participants and spectators from all over the globe to sporting events.
“We are investing in renewing our sporting and event infrastructure.

“Stromlo Forest Park will benefit from an additional $2.470 million. The funding will enhance the Park for the World Mountain Bike Championships in 2009 and beyond. This Budget sees Stromlo receive a new access road and new spectator viewing areas as well as new multi-purpose landscaped areas to allow for additional parking, event villages, team set-up areas, and event camping. We will also investigate the feasibility of commercial partnerships at Stromlo for a chair lift to the top of the mountain and a low‑cost accommodation site, providing accommodation for travelling school groups, cycling groups, event patrons and other visitors to Canberra. This comes on top of the significant investment already made in the Park by the Stanhope Government.

“We will begin the process of upgrading player facilities at Canberra Stadium and grandstands at Manuka Oval and we will invest $8.6 million in the first stage of the Lyneham Sports Precinct which will include the building of a 3,000 seat arena, complete with spectator and media facilities. Phillip Oval will benefit from $1.2 million for a new spectator pavilion as part of its redevelopment.

“In Gungahlin, we will begin the feasibility and design for a new enclosed oval on the site near the new Gungahlin College – making a state of the art sporting precinct in the Gungahlin Town Centre. Also in Gungahlin we are investing an extra $1 million in the Harrison District Playing Fields. We will also begin designing the Throsby District Playing Fields and Netball Courts for the rapidly growing Gungahlin community.

“Funding has also been allocated for Stage 2 development of the Sanctuary at Tidbinbilla which will provide additional visitor attractions including a tree-top walk and an enhanced Aboriginal Learning and Presentation area.

Mr Barr said that in addition to infrastructure upgrades, the Government is increasing funding for events in Canberra and is also investing in bringing international events to our city.

“The Government is investing $28,000 to bring a game of the Rugby League World Cup to Canberra later this year. On top of this, we are expanding the Event Assistance Program run by ACT Tourism that supports many local events that use our world-class facilities. Funding to further develop the Robert De Castella Invitational Cross-Country Event will see an even better use of the cross-country facilities at Stromlo Forest Park. 

“The Government is investing $300,000 to implement Australian Capital Tourism’s e-Strategy.  This includes the redevelopment of the visitcanberra.com.au consumer website, and other activities aimed at driving additional traffic to the website, developing an online publication distribution service, and improving media and trade content to increase the region’s exposure.

We will also provide $146,000 over four years for a high quality ACT stand for the Australian Tourism Exchange, an annual event which showcases Canberra to overseas travellers and trade buyers. A new Portable Tourism Information Booth will also be purchased for $75,000 to allow information to be provided to tourists at major events and across various locations in the city,” he said.

“All these initiatives support both our local community and visitors to our city.”

Statement ends

6 May 2008
Enquiries:    Paul Kindermann	6205 1690	0403 600 955	paul.kindermann@act.gov.au