The Minister for Sport and Recreation has announced funding and relief equivalent to $3.3 million for Canberra’s sports sector to help it endure the challenges of COVID-19.
The Minister, Yvette Berry said the Government was also waiving sportsground hire fees in addition to its decision to suspend rental payments for the use of Government properties and schools.
“The ACT Government will provide an immediate financial injection of $700,000 across ACT peak sport and recreation bodies,” Ms Berry said.
“As well as enable early access to approximately $1.5 million through the 2021 Sport and Recreation Grants Program for the 28 triennially funded organisations,”
She said she had been working with the sector to identify screwdriver-ready building projects and smaller capital works projects that could be funded quickly by bringing forward the 2021 Sport and Recreation Grants Program.
Ms Berry said the Government sportsground hire fees would be waived for the winter season and for existing bookings from mid-March.
“This is in addition to a six-month waiver of rent and hire fees for community groups using ACT Government properties,” she said.
“This package will help the sector to return to a strong position… and allow Canberrans to re-engage in sport and active recreation when the situation allows for it.”
Ms Berry said the ACT had the highest sport and recreation participation rates in Australia and the Government was committed to making sure that Canberrans could quickly return to an active lifestyle.
