ACT clubs are set to benefit from the latest round of industry funding, which aims to promote the long-term sustainability of the sector.
The Diversification and Sustainability Support Fund (DSSF) Tier 2 funding, announced by the Minister for Gaming, Shane Rattenbury, is part of the ACT Government’s commitment to reducing harm from poker machines. The government is implementing a gaming harm reduction agenda by working with clubs to reduce the number of machines and introduce bet limits. An important part of this is helping clubs to transition to revenue streams that don’t involve gaming.
Established in 2019, the DSSF supports local clubs to reduce their reliance on electronic gaming machine revenue and develop alternative streams of income. More than $1 million DSSF funding has been made available as a result of contributions from the ACT Government and clubs.
Six clubs will benefit from over $950,000 in the latest funding round. The Canberra Labor Club will receive $150,000 to develop a conference centre at the Mercure Hotel, Belconnen, as a new revenue stream. The Canberra North Bowling and ACT Rugby Union Club will receive $200,000 to significantly upgrade kitchen and multipurpose areas and install a new café.
The Canberra Southern Cross Club will receive $100,000 to develop the Corinna St frontage of their Woden club with an outdoor dining area, which also meets an objective of the Woden Town Centre Master Plan to encourage buildings that help the streets and open spaces be safer and more welcoming. Croatia Deakin Soccer Club will receive $175,000 to redesign and rebuild the main entry, including installation of an airlock doorway to reduce running costs and conserve energy, and to fund installation of a lift to make the upper floor accessible to non-ambulant clientele.
Eastlake Football Club will receive $150,000 to install solar panels at three clubs to significantly reduce running costs. Finally, Murrumbidgee Country Club will receive $200,000 to construct an indoor golf facility to extend the availability of lessons and practise ranges, which would otherwise be restricted to fine weather and conducted predominantly in the warmer months.
The funding is expected to help the clubs significantly increase patronage while reducing their reliance on electronic gaming machine revenue.
