General News
11 July, 2025
Tight funding for sport and recreation
The Yarriambiack Shire Council's Sport and Recreation Annual Allocation is set to transition to a reduced funding model for this financial year, with recreation reserves around the municipality experiencing either a slight increase or a significant decrease in funding.
Warracknabeal's Anzac Park will see a significant decrease in funding under the new model, which proposes an allocation of $39,659, a $22,206 reduction from the current funding model.
Councillor Karly Kirk said it's a disappointing situation, but changes to funding models result "inevitably in some redistribution in resources".
"But a sudden 37% or $22,000 reduction presents a significant and potentially damaging shift for ANZAC Park," she said.
"Anzac Park plays a vital role in the culture in our town and will be devastating for community to lose it."
A consultation process was undertaken with the community groups involved in the recreation reserves.
It was noted that Anzac Park Trustees expressed their disappointment with the proposed reduction and voiced their concerns about the sustainability of the reserve's operations.
In the amended motion, it was carried that Anzac Park will receive additional funding to help them navigate the new funding model.
“An additional funding allocation of $10,000 to support Anzac Park transition to a new funding model of 2025/26 will hopefully allow time for them to adapt for future years while still moving to a fairer and equitable distribution for our towns," Cr Kirk said.
Hopetoun has also seen a reduction of $2789 while Rupanyup saw a $1528 decrease but both stated during the consultation period that they weren't concerned about it.
The alternative motion was adopted unanimously and carried by councillors.
The Swimming Pools Annual Allocation funding model was also adopted, with a few venues looking at a reduction.
Its recommended motion was not moved by councillors due to the emergency maintenance allocation for each pool.
The council allocates $35,000 per year for emergency maintenance with the recommended motion stating each pool will receive $4375 each year for emergency maintenance.
Cr's Kylie Zanker, Andrew McLean, Corrine Heintze and Melinda Keel voted for; however, Chris Lehmann and Karly Kirk voted against.
Excluding the emergency maintenance funds, Woomelang Swimming Pool will see a decrease of $4280 for funding, alongside Beulah Swimming Pool who will see a $4140 reduction.
“It’s a good cross-section of the communities far more reasonably funded now and it will be a great thing for the next four years to have security around what’s happening," Cr Lehmann said.