Tasmania’s Cradle Coast will be able to bid to host the 2017 Australian Masters Games following confirmation of State and Federal funding.
The Hodgman Liberal Government and the Federal Liberal Government have both committed up to $750,000 each to secure the largest multi-sport event in the country for the North-West Coast.
“The chance to host the Australian Masters Games is a golden opportunity for the Cradle Coast,” Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff said.
“The Australian Masters Games has the potential to attract more than 7,000 competitors and a further 3,000 visitors to the 10 day competition and inject about $9 million into the host region’s economy.
“The Games would bring a major boost for regional tourism, with thousands of travellers boarding the Spirits, staying in local accommodation and eating at local restaurants and cafes.
“It will also have a huge flow on effect for the surrounding areas, with many competitors and their families typically staying on to holiday after the competition.
“It is also an incredible opportunity to showcase all that is great about the region to an unprecedented number of visitors; our premium produce and pristine wilderness.
“With the tight budget circumstances we face, I am very pleased we have been able to work cooperatively and progress a three-way funding arrangement.
“Funding for our $750,000 share will be provided in the upcoming State Budget, assuming the Cradle Coast Authority agrees to fund their share.
“I congratulate Devonport Mayor Steve Martin and the Cradle Coast Authority, and State Braddon Liberal members Adam Brooks, Roger Jaensch, Joan Rylah and Leonie Hiscutt who have all worked hard to secure the funding for the bid, and I wish the organisers all the very best in bringing this golden opportunity to our state,” Mr Rockliff said.
Federal Liberal Member for Braddon Brett Whiteley said the North West region stands ready to make a formidable bid for the 2017 games but the onus is now on the CCA to facilitate the remaining funding.
“The Commonwealth Government has mapped a path for funding of one third of the contracted fee (to a maximum of $750,000) to match the State Government contribution.
“The financial ball is now clearly in the court of the Cradle Coast Authority AMG Committee to secure the remaining funds to enable the signing of a contract with the AMG,” Mr Whiteley said.
“This process has been progressing since September last year. In the current fiscal environment to find $750,000 is not without difficulty – but we have got there. Despite some administrative challenges over the last few months, the CCA has been working concurrently for a number of months putting in place a number of other important pieces to this funding puzzle.”
Mr Whiteley said that both government grants are conditional upon confirmation of support from Cradle Coast Authority as the representative body of all North West local councils; a demonstrated case that the local councils and community can provide the remaining funding in either cash or kind and contractually agreed to by the AMG Executive and the appointment of a suitably skilled organising committee mutually agreed to by both State and Federal governments.
Jeremy Rockliff, Deputy Premier Brett Whiteley, Federal Liberal Member for Braddon,
