Sport and Recreation $3m funding boost welcomed
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Council has welcomed a Sport and Recreation funding boost of $3m which includes the community of Wutunugurra.
Posted: Wednesday, 13 February 2019
Barkly Regional Council has welcomed a Sport and Recreation funding boost of $3m which includes the community of Wutunugurra (Epenarra).
The two-year funding, under the Australian Government’s Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, is to be spread across the communities of Ali Curung, Arlparra, Alpurrurulam, Ampilatwatja, Elliott and Wutunugurra until January 2021.
Mayor Steve Edgington said this was a great victory for Council which has been lobbying the Federal and Northern Territory governments for extra funding for the delivery of sports and recreation activities in remote communities of the Barkly.
“This is great news, especially for the youth of the Barkly and for the community of Wutunugurra,” said the Mayor. “Sports and Recreation programs are important. They promote healthy choices and activities, and help make the community safer.”
In September last year the NTG’s Department of Tourism and Culture advised Council it will provide $224,000 for the delivery of sports and recreation activities across four communities – Ali Curung, Alpurrurulam, Ampilatwatja and Elliott – for 12 months but not Wutunugurra (Epenarra).
“The letter said the Department could not increase the funding amount for 2018-2019 but that it would consider a variation to the agreement for Council to spread $224,000 available across all the communities, including Wutunugurra,” said the Mayor.
“This was unacceptable to Council and did not demonstrate a real investment in youth. So we pushed back,” said the Mayor. “Discussions were then held with the Australian Government’s Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.”
Wutunugurra will now receive $400,000 to spread across two years from January 2019-January 2021 to deliver sports and recreation programs in the community.
“Sports equipment has been purchased and program plans will be ready by March this year,” said the Mayor.