Upgrade for Bundaberg Golf Club gets more people on the greens

Teeing off will be a whole lot safer at Bundaberg Golf Club thanks to funding from the Community Sport Infrastructure Grant program.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt congratulated the club on its successful application – one of over 2,000 projects submitted nationwide – to help get the local community more active.

“The Coalition Government is investing $102,343.00 which will be used to erect safety netting to existing practice areas to prevent balls straying onto adjacent One Mile Road and 18th fairway.

“Bundaberg Golf Club has been looking to do this work to allow for increased use of the facilities for the past four or five years, so it’s great this grant can help it come to fruition,” Mr Pitt said.

Bundaberg Golf Club treasurer David Cartwright said the funding announcement was great news for the club.

“Our ability to attract and develop new players and members to golf has been extremely limited due to safety concerns.

“This now gives us scope to promote the driving range and the sport of golf to the wider Bundaberg community. Bundaberg Golf Club is most grateful to the Coalition Government for this funding initiative,” Mr Cartwright said.

The Community Sport Infrastructure Grant program is investing $28 million in 223 projects across Australia that will help drive increased participation in sports and physical activity.

“Our government has prioritised investment in local grassroots sports because we recognise the wider health, social and community benefits that come from greater activity and participating in sport,” Mr Pitt said.

“It is a key priority of our government to promote the social and health benefits of physical activity and sport and our investment to upgrade facilities and infrastructure will provide a real encouragement for those local residents not currently active.”

The number of applications received nationally was more than anticipated and to meet the interest, the government will allocate an additional $30 million for projects in early 2019 from the existing pool of applications.

“This demand has demonstrated that sporting and community organisations are crying out for help to upgrade their facilities and because of the Coalition Government’s responsible economic management and delivering a budget surplus, we are in the position to increase the investment,” Mr Pitt said.