ACTIVE CLUB PROGRAM

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (14:31): My question is to the Minister for Recreation and Sport. Minister, how is the Active Club Program helping to support community-based sport and recreation groups?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Recreation and Sport) (14:32): I thank the member for Little Para for this question. He has a very keen interest in his local sporting groups and is a very strong representative of them, and I am very pleased to work with him in his electorate supporting those community clubs.

The Active Club Program is a fantastic opportunity for sport and recreation organisations to obtain financial assistance to strengthen their clubs and create active communities. In fact, it is one of the major ways that the state government is able to help grassroots clubs financially and make sure communities have the facilities and equipment they need to encourage healthy, active involvement in sport.

I am happy to report to the house that, following the last round of Active Club grant applications, I have approved funding totalling more than $1.2 million to benefit 211 regional and metropolitan organisations representing a wide range of recreation and sporting activities. Among these were a variety of fantastic projects such as: facility upgrades for Cleve District Bowling Club, Keith Golf Club and the Findon Skid Kids; new lights for the Mallala Netball Club and Cumberland United Women's Football Club; new surfaces for the Crystal Brook and Sheidow Park cricket clubs; and crucial sports equipment for Waikerie Hockey Club, Port Elliot Cricket Club and Enfield City Soccer Club.

More than $22 million in Active Club funds have now been distributed to over 4,000 grassroots organisations since 2002, providing an enormous boost to recreation and sporting activities throughout the state. As part of our strong commitment to supporting grassroots sports, the Active Club Program was an important part of our recent review of the grants administered by the Office for Recreation and Sport which was completed in December.

I am happy to advise that following this review, Active Club will benefit from a simplified application process while maintaining a total budget of $2.35 million and a notional allocation of $50,000 over two rounds for each state electorate. The first round will open next month for applications for facility projects as well as programs and equipment. A second round later in the year will provide a further opportunity for clubs to apply for programs and equipment with a streamlined 'tick and flick' application, designed to save club volunteers time and make the process as simple as possible.

I am also pleased to advise the house today that the first round of the Active Club Program for 2012 will open on 3 March and close in late April. I will write to all members informing them of this and would urge them to encourage all eligible groups in their electorate to apply.