SPORTING participants and spectators in the Northern Peninsula Area are set to benefit from a range of new infrastructure thanks to the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Programme, Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said today.
The Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) will receive up to $15,800 towards the upgrade of the Bamaga Stadium kitchen (pictured), and up to $20,000 to purchase portable sports/recreation equipment.
“My congratulations to Council, it’s a big achievement because in order to get the grant, they’ve made a matching contribution through their own funds and in-kind support,” Mr Entsch said.
“The Bamaga Stadium kitchen project will upgrade the existing unusable, aged and non-compliant kitchen by installing a commercial oven, a full upgrade of the electrics, painting and purchasing of catering equipment.
“Council will also be able to buy a portable digital score board/time clock and portable grandstands that can be used at sporting and community precincts across the NPA.
“Sporting activities play such an important role in our community, promoting participation, cohesion and a healthy, active lifestyle, so it’s great news that the Federal Government is working with the NPARC to boost involvement and enjoyment at these events.”
Stephen Wilton, CEO of NPARC, welcomed the funding and thanked Mr Entsch for his support.
“Having an accessible, functional and compliant kitchen at Bamaga Stadium will provide a strong focus for community activity within the NPA, which is currently inhibited due to the lack of a safe and useable facility,” he said.
“The upgrade will mean that we can substantially increase the activities carried out at the facility, and provide a place where people from across the NPA – and visitors during events such as the NPA Carnival, Show & Cultural Festival, Mabo, NAIDOC and Anzac Days, can gather for cultural, educational, sporting and recreational purposes.
“The new electronic scoreboard and time-clock can be transported all over the NPA to sporting events and the four 40-seat portable grandstands will make it much safer and more comfortable for participants, officials and spectators at a range of community and sporting events.”
The Australian Government, in the 2015-16 Budget, provided $45 million over two years to fund small capital projects (between $5,000 and $20,000) in each of the 150 federal electorates.
Mr Entsch worked closely with Building Active Connected Communities (BaCC) during the grant assessment process. BaCC is an initiative of the Bendigo Bank and provides financial support for small projects in the community.
“I’d like to thank panel members who provided their time and expertise to assess and prioritise the projects that were then submitted to the Department of Infrastructure for approval,” Mr Entsch said.
“With their assistance, we’ve been able to allocate $300,000 over the last two years to council- and community group-driven projects in Leichhardt, which will have a real and lasting benefit for local people.”
Find out more about BaCC at http://www.baccfnq.com.au/about-us/bacc
