Page 3751 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
quality of the management of the enclosed sports grounds. The level of satisfaction for district sportsgrounds and neighbourhood ovals also continues to be high, with satisfaction with the overall experience provided again near a record high of 97 per cent, and the overall satisfaction with the quality of management an equal record rated at 95 per cent.
It is also interesting to analyse the many and varied reasons why Canberrans frequent our public sportsgrounds. Not only are they there to participate in or watch sporting activities but also they undertake individual activities, such as jogging and other forms of exercise, and participate in informal activities, such as ball games or just simply walking their dogs, which my husband and I do on our local oval, meeting many local residents who do the same.
The provision and ongoing maintenance of sportsgrounds across the ACT support a number of strategic programs and initiatives aimed at promoting Canberra as a healthy and active community. So it is no surprise that the ACT continues to lead the nation in participation in sport and recreation, with 80.3 per cent of Canberrans participating in physical activity, well above the national average of 65 per cent. According to the ABS statistics issued last December, young Canberrans continue to be our most active, with well over 90 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds participating in sport and physical recreation. Older Canberrans are also far more active than elsewhere in Australia.
The launch by the Chief Minister of the towards zero growth healthy weight action plan is a recent example. Towards zero growth focuses on strategies that will make active and healthy lifestyle choices easier for all of us. Access to high quality, well-maintained sportsgrounds encourages physical activity and supports other aspects of a healthy lifestyle.
The active 2020 strategy is an industry-led plan that sets out key priority areas that will enable ongoing development of the sport and recreation industry in the ACT. Strategic priorities within the active 2020 strategy include: maximising sporting infrastructure; the promotion of the health, education and social benefits of sport and recreation; and maximising community engagement.
The ACT government is committed to the provision of high quality, fit-for-purpose sportsgrounds to satisfy the needs of the sport and recreation industry, schools and the broader community. This is in contrast to the policy of the Canberra Liberals. They went to the 2012 election with a policy of cutting spending on community sport. The Liberals oppose the urban improvement fund, a large percentage of which is spent on upgrading local facilities and supporting local sport. Without those funds, sports clubs would have to drastically increase their player registration fees to fully fund facility improvements which could otherwise be offset through government contributions. Under the Canberra Liberals’ policy of decreasing the amount available for maintenance of our sports facilities, the user satisfaction research would have looked very different if the Canberra Liberals had won.
Staff of Sport and Recreation Services are to be commended for their outstanding efforts in continuing to provide high quality facilities for all Canberrans to enjoy and
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video