Council News WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 1 AUGUST 2015
Issue 55
Weekly information from us to you
Sport kicking goals for local economy
country v City $624,810
Super 15 trial $271,320
sheffield shield $357,000
Eastern University Games $2.8M
Wagga Wagga is the City of Good Sports and a report to Monday night’s July Council meeting showed just how important sport can be to the local economy. So far in 2015, the city has hosted four major sporting events, which has resulted in a more than $4 million boost for the city. The latest ‘Sports Tourism’ economic benefit figures for year ending June 2014 from Tourism Research Australia show the national average spend of a “sports tourist” whose main purpose of travel is either participating in or watching sport is now $234 per person per night. That’s compared to a normal holiday tourist, who will spend on average $180 per person per night. “So far in 2015 Wagga has hosted a Super 15 trial game, NSW v Victoria Sheffield Shield match, Country-City Origin and the Eastern University Games,” Director Environmental and Community Services Janice Summerhayes said. “These elite sporting events give supporters and players from Wagga and the wider Riverina the opportunity to witness first-class sport in their own backyard, while also giving our economy a free kick”. Using the Id profile economic predictor, the estimated direct economic benefit from the events were: Super 15 trial game 31 January: $271,320 Sheffield Shield match 15-18 February: $357,000 City-Country Origin 3 May: $624,810 Eastern University Games 5-9 July: $2,825,100 In addition to the benefit from the City-Country Origin match, a media report Commissioned by Country Rugby League showed the media exposure of the game had an estimated audience of 25,369,507. The estimated cost of purchasing that level of advertising is $3,275,161.
Grants boost for Wagga Cash injection for community groups, projects Seventy-one community groups, individuals and organisations have received a shot in the arm with the announcement of Council’s Annual Grants Program recipients.
The grants program provides an annual funding opportunity for the Wagga Wagga Local Government area and aims to support local community-based groups, with $175,000 on offer across six categories.
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This year’s program generated a wealth of interest from the community, with a huge 52 per cent increase in applications compared to the 2014/15 program. More than $326,000 worth of funding requests were made, a 43 per cent increase on last year’s program figures. “Council is supporting a wide variety of projects this financial year, from self-defence classes for high school students to helping produce a book about the life stories of elderly Aboriginal people,” Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Rod Kendall said. “The grants are a commitment to harnessing the creative power within our area to consolidate activities in the region and to help create a strong,
creative community.” “It’s encouraging to see such a strong response to the grants program and I encourage everyone to start thinking about ideas for next year’s program.” Funding priorities for the Annual Grants Program are aligned with the Community Strategic Plan, Ruby & Oliver. The grants program opened on 16 March and closed on 31 May. Applications were assessed by grant specific panels comprising of a Councillor, Council staff and an independent representative. A presentation evening for successful applicants has been planned to be held on 20 August at the Civic Theatre.
Grants categories: • Community Health and Wellbeing • Connected Rural and Urban Communities • Arts & Culture • Local Heritage • Events • Sustainable Environments
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