The ACT Government has today announced it will provide funding and relief equivalent to $3.3 million for Canberra’s sports sector to help the sector to endure the challenges of COVID-19. The government is also waiving sportsground hire fees in addition to the government’s decision to waive rent for use of government properties and schools.
The package announced today will help sporting organisations meet their costs and assist the sport and recreation sector to return in a strong position.
The ACT Government will provide an immediate financial injection of $700,000 across ACT peak sport and recreation bodies 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.
The ACT Government has been working with the sector to identify screwdriver-ready building projects and smaller capital works projects that can be funded quickly by bringing forward the 2021 Sport and Recreation Grants Program.
Government sportsground hire fees will be waived for the winter season and for existing bookings from mid-March, estimated at $616,000. This is in addition to an six-month waiver of rent and hire fees for community groups using ACT Government properties, which had already provided an $80,000 rental reduction for relevant sporting organisations.
Recovery of all outstanding invoice payments due for ACT Government sportsground hire fees has also been suspended.
The ACT Government has already provided significant economic support for eligible businesses, such as sporting organisations, that includes electricity rebates, licencing fee waivers, commercial rates rebates and payroll tax waivers.
This package will help the sector to return to a stron position possible and allow Canberran’s to re-engage in sport and active recreation when the situation allows for it.
The ACT has the highest sport and recreation participation rates in Australia and the ACT Government is committed to making sure that Canberrans can quickly return to an active lifestyle.
Further support is available through the Commonwealth Government including the JobKeeper payment, cashflow assistance for eligible businesses, and temporary relief for financially distressed businesses.
