LGANT Press Release 10th December 2015

“It is extremely disappointing that Northern Territory submissions were overlooked in the second round of the Commonwealth’s National Stronger Regions Fund,” says LGANT President Damien Ryan.

“Details of successful second round applicants were released this week and despite several excellent submissions from across the Northern Territory, none received funding.

“Nationally, 111 programs were funded under Round Two, with more than $293 million distributed. In excess of $500 million has been allocated over the first two rounds from the $1 billion grants pool.

“The National Stronger Regions Fund is open to local government and not-for-profit organisations and provides cash for new infrastructure projects or the upgrade of existing facilities. Grantsbetween $20,000 and $10 million and the Commonwealth’s funding must be matched on at least a dollar-for-dollar basis.

“The fund unashamedly promotes investment in the regions, improved economic activity and jobs, which beggars the question – why did the Northern Territory miss out? 

“Out of more than 160 grants distributed in the first two rounds so far only one – the Parap swimming pool redevelopment – is in the Territory.

“This is inconsistent with the Commonwealth’s broader commitment to develop Australia’s north and at odds with its focus on regional development. It also ignores the obvious need for new infrastructure across the Territory.

“I have written to the Minister responsible, Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss, expressing my disappointment at the Territory’s exclusion from the fund so far and seeking an explanation on why local projects have missed out.”

Ends

AFL Central Australia Division 2 Premiers, the Laramba Cowboys, have added their name to the list of Central Australian football clubs making a commitment toward addressing family violence issues, by implementing its own Domestic Violence Action Plan (DVAP).

The Cowboys follow their Anmatjere neighbors the Ti Tree Roosters, AFL Barkly Premiers Sporties Spitfires and the Central Australian FC Redtails, as clubs that have agreed to work alongside the CatholicCare NT NO MORE Campaign to develop club DVAPs.

Cowboys' Assistant Coach Jamesie Stafford said club leaders considered the commitment to engage players in family violence education and awareness sessions to be an approach that will have long term benefits for the local community.

"Playing football for the Cowboys is the main community activity most of the young men living in Laramba participate in, and many of our future community leaders are likely to come from within their ranks," said Mr Stafford.

"Very few of our senior players though have ever been exposed to any awareness education or formal discussion about family violence before."

"In terms of handing over the leadership baton, we already encourage our senior players to educate and mentor the youngsters about football, and they do that very well."

"With increased awareness and knowledge on ways to reduce and resolve family violence issues, our senior players will be better placed to use their mentoring skills to guide the youngsters in the right direction with off ‐field behavior as well."

Central Australian NO MORE Campaign workers Roy Arbon and Stan Coombe have been canvassing local sports clubs and encouraging them to implement DVAPs.

Coombe said much of the credit for the Cowboys' commitment should be directed toward Laramba community leaders, who actively encouraged the club leadership to sign the DVAP Agreement.

"Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) President Adrian Dixon and local Night Patrol worker Steven Briscoe have both coached the senior side in past seasons and they, with support from a handful of other older men, were great contacts for us to liaise with," said Coombe.

The Cowboys' commitment has strengthened the NO MORE Campaign's foothold in the CDRC district and its Anmatjere Ward in particular, with two clubs in the region now set to implement and develop DVAPs.

Contacts:

Stan Coombe (NO MORE) on 0484 791 538
Adrian Dixon (CDRC) on 0427 963 512