SIX ACT community clubs are the latest beneficiaries of the latest round of  government funding aimed at promoting the long-term sustainability of the sector.

Established in 2019, the Diversification and Sustainability Support Fund supports local clubs to reduce their reliance on electronic gaming machine revenue and develop alternative streams of income.

More than $950,000 has been distributed across six clubs in the latest funding round, including:

• Canberra Labor Club – $150,000 to develop a conference centre at the Mercure Hotel, Belconnen as a new revenue stream.
• Canberra North Bowling and ACT Rugby Union Club – $200,000 to upgrade kitchen and multipurpose areas and install a new café.
• Canberra Southern Cross Club – $100,000 to develop the Corinna Street frontage of their Woden club with an outdoor dining area. The space also meets an objective of the Woden Town Centre Master Plan to encourage buildings that help the streets and open spaces be safer and more welcoming.
• Croatia Deakin Soccer Club – $175,000 to redesign and rebuild the main entry, including installation of an airlock doorway to reduce running costs and conserve energy, and to fund installation of a lift to make the upper floor accessible to non-ambulant clientele.
• Eastlake Football Club – $150,000 to install solar panels at three clubs to reduce running costs.
• Murrumbidgee Country Club – $200,000 to construct an indoor golf facility to extend the availability of lessons and practice ranges which would otherwise be restricted to fine weather and conducted predominantly in the warmer months.