More than $1.5m will be divided between seven community clubs based in the nation’s capital in the latest industry funding round from the ACT government.
These clubs are the recipients of the Diversification and Sustainability Support Fund (DSSF) Tier 2 funding. Established in 2019, the DSSF was designed to encourage local clubs to diversify their revenue stream and reduce their reliance on gaming revenue.
“Diversifying club income sources is in everyone’s best interests as we focus on strengthening the positive role clubs play in our community,” ACT Minister for Gaming Shane Rattenbury stated.
The funds can also be used towards sustainability projects; projects that help reduce regulatory costs or improve efficiency in administration and compliance for clubs; and provide training and skills development for club workers, executives and members of club management committees and boards.
Under Tier 2, clubs can apply to receive up to $250,000 in funding. This latest funding round is the fifth round of DSSF Tier 2 funding.
The latest round of recipients include Canberra Services Club, Harmonie German Club Canberra, Canberra Southern Cross Club, Ainslie Football and Social Club, Hellenic Club of Canberra, Canberra Tradesmen’s Union Club, and Canberra Labor Club.
Canberra Services Club received the largest amount of $250,000, which it will spend on renovating and upgrading its conference facilities. This was followed by the Harmonie German Club Canberra that received $233,000 to purchase equipment for outdoor catering.
Canberra Southern Cross Club plans to use its $225,000 to convert a gas-fuelled kitchen to electrical at its Tuggeranong venue, while the Canberra Labor Club will use its $184,000 towards installing new solar panels.
Both Canberra Southern Cross Club and Canberra Labor Club were also recipients of last year’s funding round receiving $100,000 and $150,000, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Canberra Tradesman’s Union Club received $200,000 this year to refurbish its restaurant.
“The government funding will assist us to provide a 100 per cent electric kitchen as part of our venue refurbishment and dining precinct upgrade,” Canberra Southern Cross Club CEO Matt Walshe says.
“The club has a strategic stance of being a leader in environmentally sustainable practices and the refurbishment of our Tuggeranong venue will enable us to continue our diversification plans.
“The larger, new layout of our bistro and introduction of the indoor and outdoor spaces will enable the club to increase its offering and services to the community.”
ClubsACT chief executive Craig Shannon has welcomed the announcement and congratulates the clubs that were successful in putting forward their proposal for the grants.
“We welcome the return of funds back to the clubs,” he told Club Management. “Poker machines make up a significant revenue stream in the industry, but in ACT we are committed to maximising harm minimisation with regards to poker machines and continue to work with government to get those results.”
The ACT government has set a target to reduce the number of poker machines in the ACT to 3,500 by 2025.