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15 Jul 2008 - Funding to upgrade sport and recreation facilities in Bass

The Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, and the Federal Member for Bass, Jodie Campbell, today confirmed the Rudd Government's commitment of $2.285 million to upgrade local sports facilities.

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Ms Ellis said she had written to local councils and project proponents throughout the region to confirm the funding commitments.

"Investing in community sport and recreation is an important priority for the Government," Ms Ellis said.

"The Australian Government encourages and promotes healthy active communities and these projects will make the state's sport and recreation facilities more accessible and attractive to the wider community."

The projects being funded in the electorate of Bass include:

• $750,000 to the George Town Council for a recreational trail between Low Head and George Town for walkers and cyclists.
• $500,000 to the Launceston City Council for the upgrade of the Cataract Gorge Walkways. The project includes a new access walkway; a new entry and arrival precinct; a redeveloped car park and an inclinator or travelling platform to assist with accessibility to the Basin Cafe and lawn areas.
• $370,000 to the West Tamar Council for the redevelopment of Windsor Park in Launceston, which is home of the Launceston Football Club, Australia's third oldest football club. Windsor Park is also the home of the Riverside Cricket Club, the Riverside Soccer Club and is used by a number of schools in the Riverside area.
• $170,000 to the Meander Valley Council for the upgrade of Blackstone Park, including recreational walkways and playground.
• $150,000 to Bridport Innovations Inc for the extension and lighting of the Bridport walking trail. The trail runs along the foreshore and through the wildflower reserve and sand dunes and is used by residents of Bridport and more than 10,000 tourists.
• $150,000 to the Tamar Rowing Club for the upgrade of the jetty. $25,000 to the George Town Council for a feasibility study into the proposed George Town Sports Complex.
• $170,000 to the Scottsdale Bowling Club towards the development of an all weather synthetic bowling green.

The Member for Bass, Jodie Campbell, said the Australian Government funding would provide a boost to the existing sport and recreation infrastructure in north-east Tasmania and would benefit local sporting organisations and the broader community.

"Sports of all codes play an important role in the social and cultural life of communities throughout the diverse electorate of Bass," Ms Campbell said.

"It is more than just about putting money into developing such things as grandstands, local playing fields and supplying footballs. This is an important investment in the health and wellbeing of Australians of all ages.

"It is not just organised sports, either. The funding of walking and recreational trails between Low Head and George Town, and the Cataract Gorge Walkways are projects that will benefit local families as well as tourists and visitors to the region."

She said funding would be provided in 2008-09, except for the Cataract Gorge project, which would be provided over two years - 2008-09 and 2009-10.

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