More than $9.7 million is being invested by the Palaszczuk Government to build and upgrade playing infrastructure for 104 Queensland sport and active recreation clubs and local governments.
Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Active Gameday Project partnerships were helping clubs across Queensland with local Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plans.
“Local clubs and councils are an important part of Queensland communities and critical to keeping Queenslanders of all ages and abilities active,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“We know when clubs and councils enhance their playing infrastructure, more Queenslanders sign up and build better community connections.
“The Active Gameday Projects fund helps to deliver the upgrades that make team sport and recreation experiences more enjoyable.
“It means quality playing surfaces that are well lit, irrigated and drain better after rain.
“We’re helping the Hervey Bay Golf Club upgrade its green, boosting lighting for AFL and cricket at Boyne Island, adding heating to the Mareeba pool and building a 400-metre running track, long jump pits, discus enclosure and shotput circles at Herbert River Athletics in Ingham.
“Active Gameday Projects also include hardcourts for pickleball in Bundaberg West, pitch drainage and irrigation for soccer in Cooroy, a new rugby league field at Harrisville, and 100 lux lighting for Roma campdrafting.
“There are 104 sport infrastructure projects worth almost $10 million from Queensland’s southern border to Longreach in the Outback and Hope Vale on the Cape.
“It doesn’t matter where you live in our vast State, the Palaszczuk Government is investing in community sporting upgrades because we know active Queenslanders are healthy Queenslanders.”
Mr Hinchliffe said clubs and councils had typically received between $50,000 and $150,000 for Active Gameday Project partnerships.
“In this round we’ve picked upgrades that encourage the sharing of sporting infrastructure between Queensland clubs and schools,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“By sharing, more Queenslanders get to use and enjoy new and upgraded facilities.
“Where possible, Active Gameday Projects are building with local contractors and suppliers to maximise economic benefits for community Covid-19 recovery plans.
“That’s what makes Active Gameday Projects a terrific investment in Queensland and Queenslanders.”
Most clubs, organisations and councils have contributed up to 20 per cent to their Active Gameday Projects.