Premier and Minister for Education and Skills, David Bartlett, said he was determined Education Department facilities should be used as widely as possible.

“It makes no sense to have such facilities locked up of an evening or at weekends when there are community groups that want to use them.”

“There is no doubt that if school sporting and recreational facilities are accessible during times when schools aren’t open such as after school and on weekends, thousands of Tasmanians who currently don’t participate in sport and recreational activities will have an opportunity to do so.”

Mr Bartlett said that the Department of Education was hosting a website where people will be able to view available facilities online throughout Tasmania.

“The Department of Education will monitor use of the facilities and following the two year trial, compare use during the trial with use prior to the introduction of the policy.”

More information is available at: http://www.schools.education.tas.gov.au/school-facilities/