Greens: ACT Government failing community sport

Green Party MLA Sports and Recreation spokesman Johnathan Davis said the ACT government is losing community sport in the ACT. He is frustrated because his sports policy, launched in early 2021, does not appear to have progressed. But Yvette Berry, Secretary of State for Sports and Recreation, said the government will soon publish a new strategic plan and has allocated $167 million for sports facilities by 2024.

In April 2021, Mr. Davis secured tripartite support for a series of policy commitments related to community sports at the ACT, including a long-term strategic plan and a detailed facility management plan. In April 2022, the ACT government provided an update on some of the work completed to date.

In Tuesday’s budget estimates, Mr. Davis asked for an update on this ongoing work, arguing that the Canberra community is still awaiting results.

“We’re 18 months on the road and haven’t seen any progress yet,” he said. “No strategic plan, no facilities management plan – nothing.”

Mr. Davis called on the ACT government to fulfill its commitment to the assembly to finalize and then publish a long-term strategic plan and a detailed facilities management plan as soon as possible.

“While I always applaud the ACT government’s investment in community sports, I am increasingly concerned that millions of dollars are being invested on an ad hoc basis based on how well some community sports organizations are doing — rather than where the funding is coming from.” is most urgently needed.

“Community sports organizations should not have to lend a helping hand to the government and actively compete for a limited amount of funding. Instead, government should seek a transparent and accountable process for funding, complemented by long-term planning developed in close consultation with community sport.

“All government funding should be awarded as a result of transparent and accountable processes and it is worrying that this is not the case for our sports facilities.”

Mr. Davis’ 2021 motion called on the ACT government to:

• Recognize a top body in the sports and leisure industry. (ACT last peaked in the sports sector in 2015, when the former ACTSPORT ceased operations.)

In April 2022, the government said it was not in its mandate to fund member-based sector advocacy, but was in talks with the Coalition of Major Participation Sports.

Ms Berry said today: “The ACT Government is in no position to officially recognize a sports and leisure industry apex body where one has not been established. During the appraisal hearings, the board of directors that Mr. Davis proposed to have recognized had not yet compiled a formal charter, financial arrangements, or list of affiliates. It would be irresponsible to formally recognize an informal top body.”

• Developing a long-term strategic plan for sport and recreation at the ACT to replace the Active 2020 plan, which expires late last year.

In April 2022 the government announced that an adviser had been appointed in late 2021 to lead this work; Consultation had begun, with a completion deadline of mid-year.

Ms Berry said today that the ACT Government’s new strategic plan for sport and recreation is nearing completion. Key stakeholders will be consulted before it is finalized and presented to the government before the end of the year.

The strategic plan recognizes that the provision of athletic and recreational facilities is key to supporting participation in sport and underscores that the ACT is the most active state or territory in the country.

COVID-19 delayed development of the new plan as the government focused on supporting the sports community with the immediate challenges of the pandemic, Ms Berry said.

• Develop a facility management plan to maintain existing facilities and meet community needs with new facilities.

In April 2022, the government acknowledged that the community’s aging sports infrastructure needed maintenance, upgrading or replacement; A “road map” for sports and recreation facilities identified a list of $167 million in sports and recreation infrastructure projects to be implemented during this administration’s term. The roadmap did not include the annual investments needed to maintain ACT’s sports and recreation facilities.

“The roadmap outlines a series of projects across all regions of the ACT to provide improvements and upgrades to existing facilities and to meet some need for new facilities through 2024,” Ms. Berry said today.

“The ACT Government has a proven and long-standing track record of providing investment to support the ongoing maintenance and modernization of existing sports and leisure facilities, while also supporting the development of new facilities.

“The ACT Government continues to actively work with sports and recreation groups, including elite athletic organizations, to discuss their aspirations and needs in relation to future needs for facilities across the city.”

• Make our sports and leisure facilities climate-proof with a special focus on heat and smoke.

In April 2022, the government’s upcoming strategic plan would address this issue; Much has already been done to prepare Canberra sportingly for climate change, a federal report from 2019 showed.

• Tackling barriers to participation in sport for disadvantaged Canberrans.

In April 2022, the government announced that it had commissioned ORIMA to study participation barriers for households with lower socioeconomic status; this would inform strategic planning.