Today’s Victorian State Budget has missed the opportunity to continue funding the Shooting Sports Facilities Program (SSFP), effectively ending this important program after eight years.
The SSFP has provided essential funding to help improve the quality of facilities and the sustainability of shooting sports across Victoria. Investment in the integrity and safety of ranges, new equipment, and general facilities upgrades has increased participation by Victorians in these dynamic and inclusive sports. Throughout the life of the SSFP, scores of small shooting clubs and facilities across Victoria have received much-needed support to upgrade facilities, including accessible toilets.
Unlike most community sports facilities that operate on local council-owned and managed land, shooting facilities tend to be located on private land or land leased from the crown. Consequently, the ‘usual’ stream of grant funding through local councils is not typically available for shooting facilities.
Ahead of the 2022 Victorian State Election, SSAA Victoria, ADA and FGA asked candidates to commit to continuing with the SSFP for three million dollars a year over four years. Whilst the Coalition gave us this commitment, the Government did not.
Over recent months SSAA Victoria has remained engaged with the Minister for Community Sport to push the case for this vital program to continue. Whilst the Minister appreciates the unique position that Shooting Facilities are in, expectations were low that the SSFP would be funded for next year. While SSAA Victoria has the capital to upgrade facilities independent of the SSFP, the Association is acutely aware of how important the program has been to scores of smaller shooting clubs across the State. SSAA Victoria will actively advocate reinstating the SSFP in the 2024 State Budget.
In other budget news, the Victorian Government is accelerating the closure of the native timber industry, with logging to cease by the end of this year. This development will put public land access issues on the radar for the foreseeable future.
