COALITION LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO SAVE ACTIVE KIDS

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman and Shadow Sport Minister Eleni Petinos today launched a campaign to Save Active Kids, inviting people to show their support.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said Active Kids has been a very popular and successful measure implemented by the Coalition Government.

“It is an important help to families across the Goulburn electorate. Giving kids who may have otherwise missed out on an opportunity to participate in sports and helping with their physical and mental health.

“This great program is also a boost to the community, helping our local clubs increase their participation numbers. I am fighting to see this program continue helping take the pressure off family budgets and helping our kids get active.” Mrs Tuckerman said.  

“At the start of this year more than 4.85 million vouchers had been redeemed, saving families $481 million across the state,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“The Labor Government needs to come clean. It needs to tell kids and parents why it’s looking to cancel vouchers and increase cost-of-living pressures on them at the worst possible time,” Mr Speakman said.

“At the 2019 election NSW Labor was upfront about its plans to cancel Active Kids, but it said nothing at this election,” said Mr Speakman.

“If it was planning to scrap the program, it should have been honest with NSW families.

“We want to see this program continue for NSW families, helping to take the pressure off family budgets and helping our kids get active.”

At the start of this year, more than 4.85 million vouchers had been redeemed, saving families $481 million.

Shadow Sport Minister Eleni Petinos said that the program not only helps to reduce the pressure on household budgets but also encourages healthy and active lifestyles for our children.

“The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare states that 70% of children fail to meet physical activity guidelines. This can lead to poorer academic outcomes and increased childhood obesity rates,” Ms Petinos said.

“Chris Minns must come clean and tell us if he’s cutting these important vouchers. The Coalition will fight every day for families, sporting clubs and small businesses to ensure that these and other important cost-of-living relief aren’t cut at a time when families can least afford it.”

GUNNING INCLUSIVE PLAY SPACE OPEN

The new and inclusive Endeavour Park equipment in Gunning is now open for play.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman, Gunning District Association representative Graham Dyer, Upper Lachlan Shire Council Mayor Pam Kensit and Deputy Mayor Mandy McDonald, Clr John Searl and Clr Lauren Woodbridge marked the completion of the fenced and accessible playground earlier this week – with Clr Woodbridge’s daughter eager to put the new equipment to the test.

Mrs Tuckerman said the inclusive play space at Endeavour Park was funded through the valuable Stronger Country Communities Fund which has seen significant improvement to many community facilities across regional NSW.
“Gunning is already a vibrant and active community and the inclusive play space will only leverage the recent works undertaken at Endeavour Park including the lighting, seating, community gym, footpath and the skate park – as well as the new amenities building coming soon. These are all projects which make such a big difference to everyday life in Regional NSW,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

Mayor Pam Kensit said Upper Lachlan Shire Council is focused on continuing the infrastructure program across Gunning, with topsoil recently added to the sporting field and construction commencing this week on the amenities building.

The project, initiated by Gunning District Association was successfully financed by the NSW Liberal Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund in 2021 to the value of $399,976 with the remaining funding and construction costs of the $414,460 project delivered by Upper Lachlan Shire Council.

JOE O’CONNOR PARK LIGHTING UPGRADE

Yass Roos Australian Football Club Incorporated will receive upgraded field lighting thanks to Round Five of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman made the announcement of funding of $422,171 for Joe O’Connor Park         

We know how much the Yass Valley loves their AFL and I am delighted that the NSW Government is supporting this project alongside the Murrumbateman Recreation Ground,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

Yass Roos Football Club Secretary Jenene Forlonge welcomed the funding.

“This is the most wonderful news to receive. We are all keen to see these projects completed and this funding will really help us”, Ms Forlonge said

“Improved lighting will help with the clubs training and the ability to hold night matches along with other community events.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said in the past five years the Stronger Country Communities Fund had delivered more than 2000 grassroots projects, benefitting every Local Government Area in regional NSW.

“We all know how important it is for communities to have great places to come together to build social connections and boost their wellbeing,” Mr Toole said. 

“It’s the little things that make a big difference to the way we all work, live, play and do business, and the NSW Liberals and Nationals in Government are delivering the projects that make a difference to everyday life right across regional NSW.”

Round Five of the Stronger Country Communities Fund is supporting local community and sporting infrastructure projects, street beautification, public programs and events that display the best of local character and community spirit.

The Stronger Country Communities Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $3.3 billion Regional Growth Fund, designed to support growing regional centres, activate local economies and improve services and community infrastructure in the regions.

TARALGA SHOWGROUND SCORES $1.1 MILLION COMMITMENT

Community sport clubs and organisations in Taralga are set to receive a boost, with the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government committing $1.1 million to build a new multi-purpose facility at Taralga Showground, if re-elected.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the new facilities would better service the range of activities that provide for locals and attract visitors to Taralga Showground year round.

“The Liberal and Nationals long-term economic plan means we can continue to invest in community infrastructure and facilities like Taralga Showground,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This facility will be a fantastic community asset. Not only will it provide new amenities that the Taralga community has been crying out for many years, it will support local jobs, which will grow the economy and keep our state moving forward.”

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said the new building would include female friendly and accessible amenities, as well as a storage room, kitchenette and multi-function area.

“Locals in and around Taralga understand how important Taralga Showground is to our local economy,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“These new facilities will go a long way to support both local sport and the popular regional events such as our much loved agricultural show, rodeo, farmers markets and festivals.”

Adam Moloney from Taralga Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Association said the new facilities would help to showcase the very best of a thriving agricultural sector.

“Our Taralga Showground events boast outstanding exhibits from agricultural producers across Goulburn,” Mr Moloney said.

“This investment will help to celebrate our critical agricultural sector, and ensure important agricultural, pastoral and horticultural events are supported now and into the future.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said investments in community infrastructure like this are only possible because of the Liberal and Nationals Government’s long-term economic plan to keep NSW moving forward.

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has invested more than $2 billion in grassroots community sports infrastructure and programs since 2017, and we continue to help build new facilities that strengthen our offerings for the State’s regional communities.”

NSW LIBERAL AND NATIONALS GOVERNMENT COMMITS $3.2 MILLION FOR EQUINE FACILITY IN GOULBURN

People with disability will be empowered to take up therapeutic and recreational horse riding, with the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government committing $3.2 million for a new multipurpose equine facility in Goulburn if re-elected.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said sport has an important role to play in addressing social change and there is a long history of using riding therapy to support people with disability.

“This project will result in improved facilities, increased participation in sport and recreation and a general uplift in usage to ensure overall community benefit,” Mr Henskens said.

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has invested more than $2 billion in grassroots community sports infrastructure and programs since 2017, and we continue to help build new facilities that strengthen our offerings for the State’s regional communities.”

The project includes a new solar-powered indoor arena with accessible amenities, multi-function room for meetings and training, a fenced horse paddock, sensory garden, storage and a carpark and will be offered by Riding for the Disabled Association (NSW).

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said a new equine facility would make horse riding more accessible to people from all walks of life and develop local talent.

“Equine sports is a popular pastime in the region and this facility will go a long way in attracting more people and visitors to the area,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“This facility will have a big part to play in providing a range of services to people with disability and their families wanting to enjoy horse therapy and recreation in Goulburn.”

Riding for the Disabled Association (NSW) Jo Grove said the new multipurpose facility would help their volunteers provide more equine therapy, sport, recreation and training and safety programs for people living with disabilities.

 “Horse riding helps to improve coordination and muscular development, as well as developing confidence and self-esteem,” Ms Grove said.

“This investment will ensure that more young children and adults can enjoy the benefits of equine therapy.”