Community wellbeing the winner in City’s successful advocacy campaign

The City of Wanneroo successfully advocated for Federal support for the development of a Regional Sporting Facilities Program at the annual National General Assembly of Local Government, hosted by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) in Canberra this month.

On behalf of the Growth Areas Perth and Peel (GAPP), which comprises 11 outer metropolitan growth councils, the City of Wanneroo successfully presented a motion to the meeting calling on the Federal Government to develop a funding model to help deliver large-scale regional sport and recreation facilities to local communities.

Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken said as some of Australia’s largest and fastest growing councils, GAPP understood how the mental, physical and social health and wellbeing of residents was impacted by access to sport and recreation facilities.

“The City of Wanneroo is one of the fastest growing local governments in Western Australia with over 220,000 local residents and a further 146,000 residents expected by 2041,” she said.

“Spaces that provide opportunities for people to connect, socialise and be active are fundamental to the success of communities, and local governments have a responsibility to advocate for their coordinated provision to help our communities thrive.”

Mayor Aitken’s successful motion calls on the Federal Government to allow Infrastructure Australia (IA) to plan and fund the delivery of regional sporting and recreational infrastructure to address the shortfall of these facilities in high-growth councils across Australia.

“The Federal Government has shown a strong focus on wellbeing investment in its budget, with initiatives that demonstrate positive steps towards addressing key issues affecting cities and suburbs,” she said.

“However, it is essential to emphasise that investment in large scale, regional community sport and recreation facilities is just as critical as investing in roads and rail.

“The success of this motion means we can align our efforts with the Federal Government’s priorities and amplify the impact of wellbeing investments through collaboration with local governments.

“This important investment will improve liveability, health and socioeconomic outcomes, enhancing the lifestyles of everyday Australians and bringing people together to create thriving and connected communities right across the country.”

Following the success of the motion, ALGA will now advocate alongside GAPP, urging the Federal Government to allow IA to consider business cases submitted by groupings of local governments for the coordinated delivery of priority sporting facilities infrastructure, and provide appropriate funding to support local governments to deliver these facilities.