QLD Govt invests $47m to deliver the Rockhampton Sports Precinct

Through the Games On! program, the Queensland Government has allocated $47 million to deliver the Rockhampton Sports Precinct, which is set to be the new and improved home for the Rockhampton Netball Association. 

This investment will enable the first stage of the project to go ahead while it delivers on an election commitment and a fresh start for Central Queensland. 

Preliminary designs for the Rockhampton Sports Precinct have been completed, and the project is being delivered in partnership with the Rockhampton Regional Council. 

“We are delivering the first stage of the Rockhampton Sports Precinct with a new home for netball and a major boost to grassroots sports in Central Queensland. 

“Now it’s Games On! in Rockhampton, as we deliver grassroots sports facilities to keep pace with this growing region. 

“This new home of Netball will not only help train our next generation of netballers, it will allow Central Queensland to host State and National competitions, benefitting the entire community,” Premier David Crisafulli said. 

“This is a significant community sporting project, and one that our netballers in particular have been seeking for many years. 

“Having the Preliminary Designs complete and the DA process moving, means it won’t be long before we can see shovels in the ground to deliver the Precinct for the people of Rockhampton. 

“I thank the Premier and the Crisafulli Government for the contribution. This is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when our two levels of government work together for the community,” Rockhampton Regional Council Deputy Mayor Drew Wickerson said. 

Rockhampton Sports Precinct courts (source: Rockhampton Regional Council)

Stage 1 of the Rockhampton Sports Precinct will include 16 outdoor hard courts, clubhouse and facilities alongside upgrades to roads and intersections along Norman Road at CQUniversity’s North Rockhampton campus. 

The Rockhampton Netball Association is one of the largest participation sport associations in the region with a registered membership of about 2,800. It currently operates out of Jardine Park which is ageing and insufficient to meet growing participation numbers. 

“We want to see more Queenslanders getting active and this incredible new facility will encourage more people to get involved in sport. 

“The Crisafulli Government’s Game On! Program delivering much needed upgrades to fields, courts, clubhouses, changerooms and lighting to grassroots clubs across the state ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said. 

“Netball is a massive participation sport in Central Queensland, and we want to see it continue to grow. 

“The new Rockhampton Sports Precinct will enable all participants to be active, as well as connecting with friends and the wider community in a fun and healthy way,” Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland said. 

The overall features of Stage 1 include: 

• Club buildings, featuring 

• • Public amenities 

• • Player changerooms and amenities 

• • Netball administation office 

• • First aid room 

• • Umpires’ room 

• • Canteen 

• • Multipurpose room 

• • Storage 

• Recreational Park (youth-themed, catering to all ages), including 

• • Multipurpose sports court (futsal, basketball, volleyball) 

• • Pickleball courts 

• • Handball and outdoor table tennis 

• • Parkour 

• • Climbing/bouldering walls 

• • Rebound sports wall 

• • Play tower 

• • Racing slides 

• • Fitness nodes 

• • Extensive greening and tree planting 

• • Informal grassed seating areas 

• • Shaded hard seating areas 

• • Projector wall 

• Infrastructure works, including 

• • Water 

• • Stormwater drainage 

• • Sewer 

• • Electricity 

• • Telecommunications 

• • Roads 

“Unfortunately, the facilities at Jardine Park are not only tiring, they are insufficient for that growth. 

“The Crisafulli Government recognises the need for a brand-new facility like this, and is pleased to invest significantly to not only ensure members of the community get involved in sport, but that there’s a home for netball in Central Queensland,” Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton said. 

“We’re proud to be boosting grassroots sport and deliver a new home for Rockhampton netball. 

“We’re delivering a world class sporting facility to meet the needs of our community and investing in the future,” Member for Mirani Glen Kelly said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Rockhampton Regional Council