The Nationals WA have pledged to double investment in the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) from $20 million to $40 million per year, delivering a much-needed lifeline to local sporting clubs and facilities across Western Australia.
Candidate for Central Wheatbelt Lachlan Hunter said the $80 million funding boost over the next four years would address years of neglect by the Cook Labor Government.
“For far too long, WA’s sporting clubs have been left to struggle with outdated and inadequate facilities because Labor’s investment hasn’t kept pace with rising costs,” Mr Hunter said.
“The current $20 million annual CSRFF budget allocation, set by the Cook Government, is simply not enough to meet the growing demand for infrastructure upgrades. Remarkably, this is just a $5 million increase since 1992, failing to account for decades of inflation in construction, labour and materials.”
Mr Hunter said The Nationals WA would ensure at least 50 per cent of CSRFF is directed to regional projects, where clubs often face the greatest challenges.
“Regional communities have been ignored by Labor for far too long, and their facilities are deteriorating as a result,” Mr Hunter said.
“Sporting clubs are the heart of our communities – they bring people together, improve health, create jobs, and even reduce crime rates. Yet these clubs are forced to rely on volunteers and fundraising just to maintain basic facilities.”
The Nationals WA will also streamline the cumbersome and time-consuming application process, which Mr Hunter said has been a barrier for many volunteer-run clubs.
“Our local sporting clubs are run by hardworking volunteers who don’t have the time or resources to spend months navigating Labor’s overly complex funding applications,” Mr Hunter said.
“For far too long, WA’s sporting clubs have been left to struggle with outdated and inadequate facilities because Labor’s investment hasn’t kept pace with rising costs,” Mr Hunter said.
“The current $20 million annual CSRFF budget allocation, set by the Cook Government, is simply not enough to meet the growing demand for infrastructure upgrades. Remarkably, this is just a $5 million increase since 1992, failing to account for decades of inflation in construction, labour and materials.”
Mr Hunter said The Nationals WA would ensure at least 50 per cent of CSRFF is directed to regional projects, where clubs often face the greatest challenges.
“Regional communities have been ignored by Labor for far too long, and their facilities are deteriorating as a result,” Mr Hunter said.
“Sporting clubs are the heart of our communities – they bring people together, improve health, create jobs, and even reduce crime rates. Yet these clubs are forced to rely on volunteers and fundraising just to maintain basic facilities.”
The Nationals WA will also streamline the cumbersome and time-consuming application process, which Mr Hunter said has been a barrier for many volunteer-run clubs.
“Our local sporting clubs are run by hardworking volunteers who don’t have the time or resources to spend months navigating Labor’s overly complex funding applications,” Mr Hunter said.
