Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Athletics legend de Castella says community infrastructure a key asset

Athletics legend de Castella says community infrastructure a key asset
June 21, 2016

Community infrastructure is an asset that plays a key role in promoting active lifestyles in communities and Australians should find more ways to utilise it to encourage healthy living, former World Champion marathon runner and Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Robert de Castella AO MBE, has said on the third day of the National General Assembly of Local Government today (21st June).

In his speech, De Castella (pictured below) explained “through my involvement in different projects such as the Canberra bushfire recovery taskforce after the 2003 bushfires, I could see the value in not just replacing community infrastructure, but also in how it could be used to make communities a better place for healthy and active lifestyles.

“We need to find ways to make it easier for people to be active – particularly our youth – and improving our community infrastructure, such as sporting fields, running tracks, bike paths and parks, and making them more accessible and appealing offers a way to do this.”

Mayor Troy Pickard, President of the Australian Local Government Association, said that well-located, well-designed and properly-maintained community infrastructure enhances the quality of life and enriches the experience of citizens every day, but that a significant proportion of Australia's local community infrastructure is currently at risk of disrepair.

Mayor Pickard stated “the 2015 National State of the Assets: Roads and Community Infrastructure Report estimated that 11% - or around $27 billion - of community infrastructure is in poor or very poor condition and in need of replacement, maintenance or upgrades, with some infrastructure being physically unsound or beyond rehabilitation.

“These findings show that councils do not have the financial resources to bring community infrastructure up to a reasonable condition and are facing the ongoing challenge of a decades-long backlog and underspend on community infrastructure, which has limited their capacity to contribute to important social and regional policy outcomes.

“More Federal Government support is needed to restore our community infrastructure and I urge political parties this election to support ALGA’s Local Government Community Infrastructure Program of $300 million per annum for five years to fund the renewal and maintenance of existing community infrastructure.

“In many cases, community infrastructure projects are either already planned, or planning is well advanced, and only funding is required for the projects to commence.

“Not only would this program stimulate local economic opportunities by creating an estimated 3,700 new jobs by the program’s third year and boost the nation’s economy by adding $1.41 billion to GDP over three years, it would also ensure that our communities’ most important infrastructure can continue to underpin community wellbeing and community resilience.”

The National General Assembly of Local Government is being held in Canberra from 19th to 22nd June. Click here for more information.

Top image courtesy of Polytan.

16th February 2016 - NEW AWARDS TO RECOGNISE INNOVATION IN SPORT, RECREATION AND PLAY

21st December 2014 - NZRA HIGHLIGHTS THE VALUE OF COUNCIL RECREATION INVESTMENT

21st September 2014 - SPORTSCOVER BACKS INDIGENOUS MARATHON PROJECT

22nd July 2009 - LEISURECO/INSHAPE COLLAPSE LEAVES MEMBERS OUT OF POCKET


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Technogym Australia

Technogym is the leading company in the Wellness and Fitness field all over the world. With 2,200 employees, 14 branches in Europe, U.S., South America, Asia  and Australia, Technogym exports its…

read more

Fitness / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Fun Wheels Pty Ltd

Fun Wheels Pty Ltd are the premium dealer in Australasia for the Dutch company BERG’s commercial and domestic products. Our flagship product is their revolutionary pedal go-kart – the…

read more

Attractions / Tourism / Venues

 
 

HRMWEB

At easyemployer we've come up with a software solution that manages one of your most important, and often most costly, business resources - your staff. We are helping 100s of clients to…

read more

Finance / Fitness / Technology

 
 

ICP

ICP is an Australian-based company focused on indoor climbing. ICP will manage your project from initial design to completion and beyond, whether you're building an international-level climbing…

read more

Attractions / Fitness / Recreation

 
 

SimplySwim

    SimplySwim is a school management solution that helps swimming school owners and managers optimize operations by automating functions such as managing class schedules, billing and…

read more

Aquatics / Education / Recreation / Safety / Technology

 
 

Fluidra Commercial

  Fluidra Commercial Australia develops innovative, highly technical and sustainable solutions designed to create unique aquatic facilities for the 'Commercial Pool' category. Public…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Sport / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

Centaman Entrance Control

Turnstile Entry Systems and Access Control Centaman Entrance Controls’ Award Winning Range of Access Control Systems includes tripod & triarm turnstiles, speedgates, full height…

read more

Access / Entertainment / Sport / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

Gladstone MRM

Gladstone Health & Leisure (Gladstone MRM Pty Ltd Australia) is a leading supplier of leisure management and fitness software and is endorsed by leading health and fitness professionals and…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Technology / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business