The State Government has recently announced a significant funding increase in community sport and recreation facilities for the next two years.

Community sport and recreation facilities throughout Western Australia will benefit from increased funding with an additional $7.5 million annually over the next two years, funded in the 2023-24 State Budget.

Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman was excited about the announcement and its impact on the community over the next two years. “I am delighted that the McGowan Government has committed to a $7.5 million increase in funding for the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund over the next two years,” he said.

“Sport, recreation and community activities help to deliver important social, health and economic benefits to local communities. We are committed to ensuring that local communities have access to sustainable and quality facilities now and into the future.”

What this means for local communities

The added funding means the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) will increase to $20 million for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 financial years, up from $12.5 million per year.

The CSRFF program aims to increase participation in sport and recreation by developing good quality, well-designed, and well-utilised facilities. Clubs and local governments can apply for funding to develop and upgrade sports and recreation facilities.

As part of the revised program, the State Government will increase the maximum grant available through the fund for major projects from $2 million to $2.5 million.

The application process for projects of up to $500,000 will also be streamlined. The existing Annual Grants category for projects between $300,000 and $500,000 will be consolidated with the Small Grants category to open up access to the scheme. This will start with the next round of CSRFF Small Grants of up to $500,000, due to open on 1 July 2023.

Successful Small Grant recipients will now also receive funding to cover up to half of their project, up to a limit of $200,000 in total funding. Previously, these grant recipients received up to a third of funding applied for. 

Learn more about CSRFF via dlgsc.wa.gov.au.

Watch: Sport and Recreation’s Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund

Feature image: dlgsc.wa.gov.au