Monday, 6 August 2018

Community sport and recreation infrastructure will benefit from the innovative $100 million Community Sports Infrastructure Loans Scheme launched by the Andrews Labor Government.

The scheme will provide low interest government-guaranteed loans from $500,000 to $10 million to councils, clubs, associations, educational institutions and facility managers to develop high-quality community sport and active recreation infrastructure that increases access to participation opportunities for more Victorians.

In addition to providing organisations with access to low interest loans, the Labor Government will make interest subsidy payments that will effectively halve the interest paid by borrowers, saving communities significant dollars.

Examples of projects eligible under the scheme include the development of significant community sport and recreation infrastructure, such as aquatic leisure facilities, indoor sports stadiums, and community sport precincts including pavilions, sportsgrounds and synthetic sports surfaces.

The Community Sports Infrastructure Loans Scheme complements existing infrastructure investment programs, such as the $180 million Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.

These programs reinforce the Labor Government’s commitment to community sport and active recreation, its impact on health and wellbeing, and supporting communities to attract and host local and regional competitions and events.

With increasing demand for sport and recreation facilities in Gippsland the Labor Government is investing in and supporting a range of initiatives like this one to ensure grassroots sport infrastructure is modernised and reflects our community’s needs and expectations.

That’s why we’ve invested almost half a billion dollars in the Victorian Budget 2018/19 that will ensure sport and active recreation continue to thrive.

For further information on the loans scheme go to www.sport.vic.gov.au/loans.

Quotes attributable to Member for Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing:

“This scheme will help Gippsland organisations develop sport and recreation infrastructure, and provide our rural, regional and metropolitan communities with more opportunities to get out there and get active.”

“I urge all eligible organisations to take advantage of this opportunity, by working together we can make sport in Gippsland more inclusive and more accessible.”