More flood funding for sports clubs

New grants are available to help sport and active recreation clubs recover from the severe weather in February and March.

The state and federal governments announced last week another $45 million in disaster recovery funding will be available to clubs under the Community and Recreational Assets Recovery and Resilience Program.

Federal Emergency Management minister Murray Watt says the extra money will help sporting clubs still trying to make repairs after a year of constant rain.

“The funds can be used for repairing or restoring facilities where insurance doesn’t cover the cost, or making improvements that make the club more resilient against future flooding,” he says.

“Some of the facilities in urgent need of repair include playing fields, lights, amenities and clubhouses.

Health and wellbeing

Mr Watt says sports and recreational clubs are a vital part of communities.

“They provide people a place to meet, check in with one another and stay active.

“That’s why it’s so important to get them back up and running as soon as possible.”

Queensland Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe says expressions of interest in the new emergency funding round close on July 8 at 5pm.

“Sport and active recreation are pivotal to the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders,” Mr Hinchliffe says.

“We’re encouraging club volunteers and local councils, as facility owners or managers, who need help with the recovery of their sport facilities to jump online for this latest round of emergency funding.”

More help available

Mr Hinchliffe says other avenues of recovery funding remain open, including the Level 1 Sport and Recreation Disaster Recovery Program grants ($5000), Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority grants ($50,000) and the jointly funded DRFA Sport and Recreation Recovery grants (up to $20,000).

“So far 329 sporting organisations have been approved for over $1.42 million in funding through the Level 1 Sport and Recreation Disaster Recovery Program, including all current disaster activations across Queensland,” Mr Hinchliffe says.

Find out how to apply for the new grants here.