A further $2 million is being made available to Tasmanian councils to deliver projects to their communities to support local active living, thanks to the Rockliff Liberal Government’s Open Spaces Grants Program.
The second round of the Program, administered in partnership with the Local Government Association of Tasmania, is now open for applications.
Fifteen councils recently received a total $2.9 million in funding through Round 1 of the program. All councils are eligible to seek funding in the second round.
Minister for Local Government, Nic Street said he was passionate about enabling Tasmanians to be connected, active and healthy in their local communities.
“The Rockliff Liberal Government wants to ensure all Tasmanians have access to the facilities they need to participate in sport and all forms of outdoor recreation, especially in their local communities,” Minister Street said.
“The Government’s $5 million commitment to this Program recognises councils’ vital role in the delivery of these facilities.
“The Program supports councils across Tasmania to provide infrastructure that encourages local active living and less structured or informal recreation pursuits, because we know that active living has wide-ranging health and wellbeing benefits.”
Local Government Association of Tasmania President Mick Tucker said that the interest in Round 1 from councils was very strong and he expected the same this time.
“Local government welcomes the opening of Round 2 of the Open Spaces grants. Councils across Tasmania provide the majority of the important infrastructure that supports our communities to be healthy and active,” Mr Tucker said.
“In Round 1 we saw fifteen communities benefit from the funding, leveraging more than $5 million in total investment with council co-funding.”
The Program complements a number of other Rockliff Liberal Government initiatives designed to enhance opportunities for all Tasmanians to gain the health and wellbeing benefits of active living,including the establishment of Active Tasmania, the development of an Active 2030 strategy, and the separate Tasmanian Active Infrastructure Grants Program.
Program guidelines are available on the Local Government Association of Tasmania’s website. Applications are welcome until 15 March 2024.
Proposed projects will be considered on the basis of community need and benefit, and councils are encouraged to submit projects supported by community engagement, and which represent value for the public funds invested.