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SENIOR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING 17 DECEMBER 2009
Item: SN171209/6.3
DME: 51229
Attachment 51230
LATE ITEM
REPORTS BY OFFICERS
TO: Senior Executive Committee
FROM: Executive Director
(Contact – Bethany Loates)
KEY RESULT AREA 4: Finance, Infrastructure and Resources
STRATEGY 4.1: Encourage the development of a state wide strategy for the
funding of upgrades to Councils recreation and sport
facilities to meet the requirements of the various codes and
peak bodies.
RE: THE FUTURE OF SPORT IN AUSTRALIA
RECOMMENDATION
That the Senior Executive Committee:
1. notes the release of The Future of Sport in Australia report; and
2. authorises the Executive Director to finalise a submission to the Federal
Minister for Sport with a copy to the State Minister.
DISCUSSION
In recognising the importance of sport and the significant emerging challenges to Australia’s
sustained success in elite sport, the Australian Government established the Independent
Sport Panel. This Panel looked at sport at both the elite level and at the grassroots
community level, as part of a top-to-bottom examination of Australian sport.
After consulting stakeholder groups throughout Australia, the Panel released The Future of
Sport in Australia (Crawford) report on 17 November 2009. This report highlights the
importance of grassroots sports and promotes a bottom-to-top approach.
The key outcomes of the report include redefining Australia’s national sports vision, building
the capacity of National Sports Organisations, putting sports and physical activity back into
education, building community sport with people and places, and sustaining the funding base
for sport.
The LGA Secretariat is now finalising a submission to the Panel and the Federal Minister for
Sport, Hon Kate Ellis MP to highlight Local Government’s interest and active role in sports
and recreation throughout South Australia. Due to the short timeframe for providing a
submission, the LGA was unable to consult with Councils. A copy of the submission will be
provided to Councils on the LGA website. The Secretariat will discuss the report with Sport
SA who has provided support to the LGA’s election document “Quality Neighbourhoods”
addressing this issue.
Local Government Association of South Australia
SENIOR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING 17 DECEMBER 2009
The LGA submission will highlight the 2007-08 South Australia Local Government operating
expenditure on recreation and sport being more than $144 million with further capital
spending of more than $41 million. While Local Government does not have mandated legal
responsibility for sport and recreation, the majority of community facilities are owned by
Councils or are on land in the care, control and management of Councils. SA Councils have
undertaken substantial reform through the LGA’s Financial Sustainability Program with a
particular focus on improved asset management approaches.
Historical approaches to funding community facilities have sometimes encouraged
inappropriate competition between clubs and associations, resulting in uncoordinated
investment and, on occasions, poorly managed projects. The primary solution to this problem
is an investment in sound regional plans which are led by Local Government with appropriate
State and Commonwealth support and with significant input from clubs and associations.
Subsequent funding approaches could then be constructed to link to such plans.
A substantial re-investment by Commonwealth and the South Australian governments in
community-level sport and recreation allied with a stronger regional planning approach and
improved asset management strategies driven from Local Government should be a focus for
the future.
The LGA submission is attached to this report.
Local Government Association of South Australia
The Future of Sport in Australia
Submission
Prepared by the
Local Government Association of
South Australia
December 2009
The Future of Sport in Australia
Submission
Executive Summary
The Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA) welcomes The Future of Sport
in Australia (Crawford) report and a renewed interest by the Commonwealth in community-
level sport and recreation. We acknowledge that choices need to be made by the
Commonwealth in relation to effective and equitable support for elite sport and National
Sporting Organisations. However the primary focus of this submission is to welcome and
highlight the acknowledgement that community-level sport and recreation is not receiving the
support and coordination it requires.
In 2007-08 South Australia Local Government operating expenditure on recreation and sport
was more than $144 million with further capital spending of more than $41 million. Local
Government does not have mandated legal responsibility for sport and recreation, however
the majority of community facilities are owned by Councils or are on land in the care, control
and management of Councils. SA Councils have undertaken substantial reform through the
LGA’s Financial Sustainability Program with a particular focus on improved asset
management approaches. The LGA is also looking at new sustainable asset management
initiatives through the new Commonwealth Local Government Reform Fund being
administered by Minister Anthony Albanese.
Historical approaches to funding community facilities have sometimes encouraged
inappropriate competition between clubs and associations, resulting in uncoordinated
investment and, on occasions, poorly managed projects. The primary solution we see to this
problem is seen as investment in sound regional plans which are led by Local Government
with appropriate State and Commonwealth support. This should include significant input
from clubs and associations. Subsequent funding approaches would then be constructed to
link to such plans.
The LGA supports a substantial re-investment by Commonwealth and the South Australian
governments in community-level sport and recreation allied with a stronger regional planning
approach and improved asset management strategies driven from Local Government.
Local Government is willing to participate in the design of approaches to deliver improved,
coordinated and sustainable approaches to grassroots sport and recreation across South
Australia.
DME 51230 Prepared by the Local Government Association of SA 1
December 2009
The Future of Sport in Australia
Submission
Preamble
The Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA) appreciates the opportunity to
provide a response to The Future of Sport in Australia (Crawford) report. The LGA
welcomes the Federal Government’s initiative in creating the Independent Sport Panel to
review all aspects of sport in Australia and to chart a new direction. The LGA supports the
general directions of this report and, in particular, the proposed approach of refocusing on
grassroots sports.
The LGA is a membership organisation that provides quality service and leadership relevant
to the needs of the 68 member Councils it represents. It is recognised as the peak
representative body for Local Government in South Australia and prides itself on being the
Voice of Local Government in this State. The LGA is a constituent member of the Australian
Local Government Association.
Sport is an integral part of every South Australian community and is an important way to
promote and maintain a healthy and active quality of life in the 21st century. This is why
children and parents can be found rain, hail or shine in the parklands, suburban reserves or
in sporting fields right across South Australia. Furthermore, sports contribute to the national
health agenda by reducing health related illnesses and promoting social inclusion of
individuals into the community.
While supportive of the overall message of the report the LGA would also like to highlight the
apparent lack of communication with South Australian Councils and their representative
bodies. Councils have an ultimate responsibility if clubs and associations fail as nearly all
land used by these groups is under the care and control of Councils. Because of this
responsibility, Councils are key stakeholders in discussions about the future of sport in
Australia.
As part of the preparation of asset management plans and strategies, Councils in South
Australia consider the sporting and recreational infrastructure needed to meet current and
future community demands. Many Councils have aged assets which require major overhauls
to meet increasing community and safety standards. It is no longer acceptable to not have
both male and female change room facilities, poor or unusable amenities such as toilets, or
inferior lighting for sporting fields.
This submission does not provide comment on the entirety of the Crawford report, and only
examines the chapters that are of significant interest to Councils within South Australia.
A copy of the current LGA Policy on Recreation and Community Activities is attached as an
appendix.
DME 51230 Prepared by the Local Government Association of SA 2
December 2009
The Future of Sport in Australia
Submission
Defining our National Sports Vision
Sporting activities are a central part of Australian culture and identity and, as such, the LGA
believes that elite level sports are an integral part of society. The LGA does not wish to
comment on the Federal Government providing an additional $109 million per annum to the
relevant National Sports Organisations (NSOs), the Australian Olympic Committee and the
Australian Paralympic Committee; however, there is merit in providing additional funding to
assist grassroots sports.
The Crawford report has, for the first time, thrown into stark relief the disproportionate
amount of funding received by comparison to grassroots sports.
The LGA supports the view that the National Sports Vision requires a paradigm shift and with
funding being focused on widespread participation at the grassroots level as a means to
promote the national health agenda and social inclusion. Furthermore, by increasing the
number of grassroots participants there will be a larger base of athletes in which to select
future Olympians.
Local Government in South Australia is Playing its part. In 2007-08 South Australia Local
Government operating expenditure on recreation and sport was more than $144 million with
further capital spending of more than $41 million.
Building the Capacity of our National Sporting Organisations
Federal Government funding policies should ensure that grassroots sporting facilities are not
compromised as a result of funding to National Sports Organisations (NSOs). Government
funding to NSOs should be contingent on their readiness to commit a portion of funding and
other support to be reinvested into grassroots. Where this is not possible (ie a NSO does not
receive government funding), the grassroots program should not be disadvantaged and
funding should be provided directly to them.
The capacity of elite athletes and NSOs to recognise and provide key support and promotion
of the importance of community level facilities and programs should be recognised.
Putting Sport and Physical Activity Back into Education
Although Councils and their representative bodies do not have jurisdiction over curricular
requirements for schools, this section proposes that local sports organisations need to have
good access to local school facilities outside of school hours.
The LGA strongly supports this concept and would welcome such discussions with the State
Government to open sports facilities to community sporting groups. An arrangement would
increase the number of teams and clubs that could participate in sports, thereby promoting a
healthy lifestyle. However, the use of these facilities should not be to the detriment of
funding for community facilities but be seen as an additional resource, not a replacement.
There are existing examples of joint use facilities in schools across South Australia; however,
we do not believe that current legal and management arrangements provide the right
encouragement for community investment in such facilities.
More work also needs to be undertaken to improve liaison between the nurturing
environment of school sports with the valuable contribution of club sports. Too often clubs
and schools compete for players rather than working together on joint strategies.
DME 51230 Prepared by the Local Government Association of SA 3
December 2009
The Future of Sport in Australia
Submission
Building Community Sport with People and Places
Sustaining the Funding Base for Sport
Volunteers are a critical component of grassroots sports, and the LGA supports the
suggestion that the Australian Government explore a national scheme to reimburse
volunteers for mandatory accreditation courses. This support is necessary in reducing
liability concerns, increasing numbers available to volunteer, and ensuring that those working
with members of the community are fit to do so.
Facilities, like volunteers, are an integral part of sport, yet many remain neglected with
infrastructure being neglected and playing fields suffering from years of drought. The LGA
believes that all spheres of governments will have to have a coordinated approach in
investing in community facilities if grassroots sport is to flourish.
The extent of Local Government’s contribution is often not recognised. Councils and their
representative bodies are key contributors to grassroots sports and have a vested interest in
their success. Ultimately Councils are responsible for clubs and associations particularly
when most, if not all regional and metropolitan sporting facilities are located on land under
the care and control of Local Government, or the Council has acted as a guarantor for the
club to receive financing.
In 2007-08 South Australia Local Government operating expenditure on recreation and sport
was more than $144 million with further capital spending of more than $41 million. The State
Government’s contribution in 2007-08 provided operating grants subsidies and contributions
totalling $2.06 million and $0.799 million in capital grants and subsidies. The expectation
that Local Government increase its expenditure, when currently they contribute more than 60
times the amount of money than State Governments, is concerning.
While additional funding is needed for infrastructure, the LGA believes little progress will be
made without a holistic approach to the provision, management and resourcing of local and
regional facilities. A co-ordinated and collaborative approach should be undertaken between
Federal, State and Local Government as well as the private sector to provide sustainable
facilities as well as promote a healthy lifestyle.
We need to make sure that the limited funding for recreation and sport in South Australia,
through State and Local Governments, is well spent. South Australia must make sure that
approaches to the Federal Government for additional resources are made with one South
Australian voice. A cohesive state wide Sports and Recreational Plan would help to further
prevent duplication of activities and fragmenting of resources, and create a strategic direction
for the communities. This plan could also include an appropriate funding model for
infrastructure requirements without being diluted on small “feel good” funding allocations on
small projects.
It is imperative that all levels of government, with input form peak sporting bodies in South
Australia, develop Sports and Recreational Plans for all Councils areas within the State.
Plans should include sporting and recreation facilities and take account of the sate of current
facilities particularly health and safety aspects. They should focus on increased participation
and retention of people in sports and recreation resulting in the promotion of healthier
lifestyles and a better quality of life.
Sports and Recreational Plans should be integral to the planning, prioritisation, funding and
delivery of assets. With the introduction of asset management plans and long term financial
plans within South Australian Councils, Local Government is now well placed to facilitate
managed investment in sport and recreation.
The LGA understands that the management of community sport and recreation facilities is a
complex issue in which the active involvement of clubs and associations is a valuable
DME 51230 Prepared by the Local Government Association of SA 4
December 2009
The Future of Sport in Australia
Submission
contribution. In the majority of cases, such bodies are tenants of Council-owned facilities – or
club-owned facilities on land owned by or in the care control and management of the local
Council.
Historically funding going directly to clubs for facility development upgrade has in some
instances fostered the uncoordinated development of facilities – and levels of competition
between clubs for funding. Such funding can also give clubs unreasonable expectations
about future funding opportunities. The report recognises the increasing complexity for clubs
of dealing with issues outside of competition and training. The LGA does not wish in any way
to under value the extraordinary contribution made by clubs and associations to community
level sport and recreation. It must be recognised however that clubs are better at some
things than others. By experience many clubs are not good managers of
construction/development projects because they do not do it regularly. On the other hand
managing and maintaining community facilities and works projects is a very substantial part
of all Council’s operations. The LGA is aware of at least one Council which has revised its
lease agreements and its recreation and sport facilities upgrade funding to maintain sporting
body access to funding but allow the Council to manage works projects. In this way the
Council is also able to apply common public liability, and occupational health and safety
standards.
The LGA is also conscious that in environments where clubs fail, or fail to meet lease or loan
commitments, it falls back on Council ratepayers to manage or subsidise the resulting issues.
In at least one case an SA Council is managing the operations of the local football league –
rather than see the league collapse.
Competition for State or Federal funds for local facilities development can encourage under-
investment in separate facilities when joint investment in joint facilities would be more
productive for clubs, players, and for Local Governments seeking to maintain facilities.
Effective regional planning is an important tool in relation to this issue and funding
arrangements should be required to match sound plans developed with input from clubs and
from all governments.
We would note that a significant number of Councils have applied funding from the Regional
and Local Community Infrastructure Program (under the Nation Building – the Economic
Stimulus Plan) to community recreation and sport facilities in the absence of any substantive
funding from SA or Commonwealth governments specifically for such facilities.
These issues warrant collaborative strategies which we think need to be led by Local
Government, with appropriate support from State and Commonwealth governments.
One model which could be drawn from in this context is SA’s Special Local Roads Program
in which a portion of Commonwealth funding for Local Roads is voluntarily allocated to a
program in which Councils within a region assess and priorities roads of regional significance
for funding. Recommendations from Councils are assessed by a State-level committee to
allocate these funds. Remaining funds go to individual Councils to support local road works.
Councils are also best positioned in ensuring Australia’s sports system is open to all groups.
While a cohesive approach is required, each Council and region will have a greater
understanding of the social, geographic and funding concerns that require attention.
DME 51230 Prepared by the Local Government Association of SA 5
December 2009
The Future of Sport in Australia
Submission
APPENDIX A – LGA POLICY
The following section is extracted from the LGA’s 2009 Policy Manual which was endorsed at
the October, 2009 LGA Annual General Meeting. A full copy of the Policy Manual can be
found online here: www.lga.sa.gov.au/goto/corpdocs.
8.2 RECREATION AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
8.2.1 Local Government will work, in co-operation with the other spheres of government,
non-government bodies, community organisations, and the private sector to maintain
appropriate recreational facilities and services which are equally accessible to all sections of
the community, recognising that different community groups may have specific needs.
8.2.2 Council contributions to the recreational and cultural needs of their communities
through support to local groups, provision of halls, ovals and other facilities, and non-financial
(in-kind) support to create local opportunities, must be recognised and not undervalued by
State and Federal Governments and their agencies.
8.2.3 To complement State and local sport and recreation development plans and South
Australia’s Strategic Plan, the State Government should recognise that Councils are major
providers of sport and recreation facilities. The State Government should, in consultation with
the LGA and other appropriate groups, develop a state wide plan to provide and maintain
sport and recreation facilities and infrastructure.
8.2.4 The State Government should have as a priority the provision of assistance for the
development of local facilities in co-operation with Councils and should support (financially
and with expert advice) the development by Councils of local sport and recreation
development plans which complement such State plans.
8.2.5 Federal assistance for sport and recreation should recognise the role of Councils and
aim to enhance involvement through the provision of increased funding to Local Government.
DME 51230 Prepared by the Local Government Association of SA 6
December 2009
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