AS THE true local publication, Redland City News will covering the fast-approaching Queensland State Election closely and bring our readers the important news.
Starting this week, we will be looking at the Tourism and Sport portfolio and how it concerns the residents of our region.
With the Brisbane Olympics now only eight years away, shovels will be at the ready to deliver stadiums and facilities for the Games that have been promised in 2032.
The Department of Tourism and Sport’s vision is for Queensland to have world-class, thriving, inclusive and sustainable tourism and sport and active recreation sectors.
As a state, the purpose is to provide and attract investment to build a more competitive visitor economy, inspire sporting success through Queensland’s elite athletes, and support active, healthy communities.
STATE BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
- $72 million over four years to continue delivery of the Queensland Academy of Sport 2032 High Performance Strategy – Inspiring Extraordinary Sporting Success ensuring elite sporting success in Brisbane 2032.
- $33.5 million in 2024-25 to increase the value of the FairPlay voucher and provide sports access to more Queensland children and young people aged between 5 and 17 years.
- $15 million over two years for the Growing Future Tourism Program.
- $10 million over two years for the Backing Bush Communities – Building Bush Tourism Fund to support delivery of the Bush Boost and Queensland’s long term Towards Tourism 2032.
- $9.5 million in 2024-25 for the Sport Minor Infrastructure Program.
- $28.3 million is allocated to Queensland Active Precincts to enhance existing state-owned sport and active recreation facilities
- $43.1 million is allocated to Browne Park Redevelopment Stage 1 including building a contemporary 3500 seat grandstand, public amenities, and food and beverage outlets.
- $18 million to support new and upgraded facilities as part of the Minor Infrastructure and Inclusive Facilities Fund to make community sport and active recreation more inclusive, accessible, safe, and efficient.
- $16.9 million to support the clean-up and repair of community and recreational assets damaged by the extraordinary 2021-22 disaster events, in partnership with the Federal Government.
- $14.1 million for the local community sporting infrastructure to encourage Queenslanders to be more active.
Tourism and Events Queensland’s vision is to inspire travellers to visit Queensland as their destination of choice through bold and globally recognised marketing and events that support the ambitious industry goal of growing overnight visitor expenditure to $44 billion by 2032.
KEY PROJECTS FOR REDLANDS
Birkdale Community Precinct – A 62-hectare precinct, including a world-class whitewater centre, running track, an adventure playground and a public lagoon, is designed to enhance Redland’s sporting and recreational landscape. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a premier destination for both competitive and recreational whitewater activities. It will play a pivotal role in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, potentially hosting canoe slalom events and serving as a training venue for athletes.
Beyond the Olympics, the centre will deliver lasting benefits, fostering local talent, boosting tourism, and providing the community with a top-tier venue for water sports and outdoor adventures.
Sports Field Lighting Upgrades – The project will enhance three key sports venues with comprehensive lighting upgrades, significantly improving user experience and encouraging greater participation. At Redlands Baseball Park, Redlands Softball Park, and Redlands Cricket Club, the upgrades will feature advanced aero-screen luminaires, fixtures resistant to vandalism and vermin, designs requiring minimal maintenance, and robust IP66-rated enclosures. These improvements aim to provide safer, more reliable lighting that meets the highest standards of performance and durability.
William Taylor Memorial Sports Precinct Upgrades – The project, part of the William Taylor Memorial Sports Field Master Plan, includes a skatepark, BMX track, petanque arena, playground, public amenities, and a car park. These additions will enhance sports participation, attract events, and foster community engagement. Improved facilities and accessibility will boost local tourism, draw visitors and stimulate the local economy.
BENEFITS TO REDLANDS
- Diversified employment opportunities
- Provide a venue for Olympic training and support Redlands as an Olympic host city
- Support sports-related tourism
- Access to elite sports and entertainment experiences
- Improved inbound investment and event spend
- Vibrant and dynamic local economy
WHAT LOCAL ELECTED MPS AND OPPOSITION CANDIDATES HAVE SAID?
Joint statement from Redlands MP Kim Richards and Capalaba MP Don Brown
The state and federal Labor Governments have committed $10 million for vital community infrastructure across the Redlands. This is part of the $200 million SEQ Liveability Fund, aiming to boost South East Queensland with local projects.
Capalaba MP Don Brown secured Queensland Government funding for four Redlands projects, including a $5.7 million upgrade to the William Taylor Memorial Sports Precinct in Thorneside. This upgrade will feature a new skatepark, BMX track, playground, pétanque arena, public amenities, and carpark.
Additionally, 10 new basketball courts will be added to Chandler as part of the Olympic infrastructure.
Mr Brown highlighted his dedication to improving local facilities, with past projects like the Paul Bancroft Centre and Capalaba State College Hall.
Redlands MP Kim Richards is proud to have secured funding for lighting upgrades at the Redlands Baseball and Softball Clubs and the Redlands Cricket Club. She emphasises the importance of night-time use of sporting facilities, especially with hotter weather, and aims to provide cost-effective LED lighting to benefit the clubs and expand women’s cricket.
Since 2020, over $3.7 million has been allocated to local sporting clubs for infrastructure and program delivery. This includes safety upgrades at Redlands Baseball Club, a new scoreboard at Redlands United Football Club, and new lights at Victoria Point Sharks Sporting Club.
Mr Brown said the Labor Queensland Government had also worked with the Redland City Council to deliver $4.2 million for a new clubhouse at Charlie Buckler Park, $2.8 million for the Eastern Escarpment Hinterland Experience project and upgrades to the Cleveland Aquatic Centre.
The Miles Labor Government has also been growing tourism opportunities on the Redlands Coast with investment in the Koala Coast Ecotourism Trail, bringing walkers and mountain bikers to experience the best that the Redlands has to offer.
Amanda Stoker, LNP candidate for Oodgeroo
“The Redlands has the potential of a thriving tourism destination, but it requires better investment in the transport infrastructure needed to bring visitors to the region and to help them get around during their visits – especially on North Stradbroke Island.
“Parking problems, limits to service frequency and a lack of connection between transport modes are holding back the growth of tourism businesses on Straddie, and the LNP would work to clear these blocks to attracting staff and visitors.
“A stronger tourism market on Straddie would also revitalise the Cleveland CBD and Raby Bay marina precinct.
“The coming Olympics presents an opportunity to attract additional and overdue investment in commuter transport, as well as improving the quality and number of sporting facilities available for local clubs.
“Sports like cricket and basketball have strong local participation and should be targeted for legacy infrastructure opportunities.
“If we are going to have the Games, then we need to make sure that the fields, courts and female change rooms that local teams need for the long term are the focus of our investment.
“That way, the Redlands’ sportsmen and women will have access to the facilities they need to maintain good health and reach their competitive aspirations.
Rebecca Young, LNP candidate for Redlands, was contacted but chose not to participate.
HOW HAVE TOURISM AND SPORT BEEN SERVED IN THE PAST TERM?
Karen Griffith from Victoria Point Sharks Sporting Club
The Victoria Point Sharks Sporting Club has been fortunate to receive grants from State and Federal Governments which have helped to provide infrastructure for the clubs. Having these extra budget funds from infrastructure funding has meant we have been able to further community involvement.
Our sporting club provides a venue for AFL seniors and juniors, softball, netball, cricket, triathlon and fishing.
These facilities have included:
- New change rooms, especially as we had massive growth in our girls’ and ladies’ football teams.
- The upgrade of lighting that is needed due to the current lighting being outdated and bulbs being unavailable for replacement. Federal Member for Bowman Henry Pike was instrumental in securing extra funding to allow this project to succeed.
- The grants also provide sports and equipment for the various sports within our club.
- Fairplay vouchers for active recreation membership for the juniors within our club.
- Financial assistance to support grassroots sport.
