Resilient clubs, resilient communities: NSW Government and ClubsNSW sign MOU
Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Hospitality, Gaming and Racing Troy Grant today signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ClubsNSW providing certainty for the thousands of clubs and employees across metropolitan and regional NSW.
Mr Baird and Mr Grant signed the MOU while attending the ClubsNSW Annual Conference on the Gold Coast.
“Clubs are the lifeblood of communities across NSW, featuring 719 bowling greens, 353 golf courses, 100 tennis facilities and 96 sporting fields,” Mr Baird said.
“Clubs are also one of the State’s biggest employers, providing jobs to 42,000 people and contributing more than $3.2 billion a year to State’s economy.
“This MOU builds on key commitments already achieved in the last agreement signed in 2010, and ensures further investment for the future of clubs and the NSW economy.
“We’ve come to an agreement that sees tax rates affecting clubs frozen for another four years.
“The NSW Government is committed to untangling the red tape burden on clubs by increasing cheque issuing limits from $2,000 to $5,000, which will see more than 250,000 cheques removed from the system.
“We also recognise the important role many clubs play in sheltering communities, and supporting emergency services during natural disasters and other emergencies.
“Under this agreement, local clubs and emergency services will partner to enhance the capabilities of clubs to act as evacuation centres and determine if funding could assist capital upgrades, such as dam expansions, and other support measures.
“Last October’s devastating bush fires are a prime example of the pivotal role clubs play in providing a temporary home for displaced residents and hardworking emergency services personnel during a natural disaster.
“This agreement will also simplify the process for new clubs to establish on Greenfield sites, and streamline the rules regarding club amalgamations and de-amalgamations to ensure clubs can continue to meet the needs of community across NSW,” Mr Baird said.
Mr Grant said the NSW Government recognises that the vast majority of clubs are safe, well regulated venues which play a role in supporting local communities and residents.
“Clubs have a significant reach into all our communities and are dedicated to providing the best services to benefit patrons,” Mr Grant said.
“We share the industry’s vision for a strong, viable and sustainable club sector and this MOU goes a long way to providing certainty for the future.”
ClubsNSW Chairman Peter Newell OAM said a strong and vibrant clubs sector can help attract additional investment and jobs, particularly in regional NSW.
“NSW clubs already employ tens of thousands of people and make an annual social and economic contribution to the State of $4.4 billion each year. Thanks to the stability and certainty provided by this MOU, those numbers are set to grow even further.”