We breakdown the Queensland Government’s community sport spending in the 2024-25 state budget
We run the rule over the Queensland Government’s community sport spending and where its cash is being splashed. Discover what clubs and regions will benefit most from the budget and the ones that missed out here.
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Community sporting clubs from two Queensland regions have missed out on funding and facility upgrades, while the Sunshine Coast has come out as the major winner from the state budget.
The state government also made a major commitment to its FairPlay vouchers, tipping in an extra $33.5 million to assist in paying for children’s sporting registration or participation fees as cost of living pressure increases.
“The Miles Government’s top priority is the health and wellbeing of all Queenslanders, which includes helping families to overcome financial barriers to participation in children’s sports,” Tourism and Sport Minister Michael Healy said.
“Expanding the FairPlay program will make an enormous difference for families right across Queensland.”
Discover all the key sports details in the budget, and where money is being spent in every region across Queensland below.
Greater Brisbane
Football in Jimboomba will receive a $217,000 upgrade to change rooms while $225,000 was put towards Hammel Park’s lighting upgrades. The Q (Greater Brisbane Greyhound centre), as part of the Racing Infrastructure Fund and delivered in partnership with the private sector, notched up $51.7 million in general venue upgrades for greyhound racing. The construction of change room amenities and installation of an access path at Peninsula and Districts Football and Sporting Club (Redcliffe) tipped over to $180,852. Further, the Government plans to provide an additional $10 million in 2024-25 as the state’s contribution towards proposed redevelopment of sporting facilities in Ipswich.
Sunshine Coast
Funding for upgrades to sporting facilities on the Sunshine Coast are in abundance, notching up to $21.9 million across over 10 projects and eight sports:
– Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre and new Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre (part of Brisbane 2032 minor venues program), $20.1 million out of a $304 million total to upgrade
– Woombye Snakes Football Club: $179,379 out of a $289,321 total spend for change rooms
– Nambour and District Tennis Association: $220,866 out of $245,407 to upgrade local tennis courts
– Horse sports in Nambour region: $217,000 out of a $350,000 total spend to construct amenities
– Maroochydore Eagles Basketball Association: $217,000 out of a $350,000 total spend to upgrade amenities
– Kawana Tennis Club: $146,176 out of a $162,418 to upgrade tennis courts
– Kawana Waters Surf Life Saving Club: $217,000 out of a $350,000 total spend to construct amenities
– Multi-sport facilities at Baringa: $217,000 out of $350,000 total spend
– Maleny Skatepark: $225,000 out of $250,000 total spend
– Maleny Rangers Football Club: $217,000 out of $350,000 to upgrade amenities
– Coolum Beach Junior Australian football club: $217,000 out of $350,000 to construct amenities
– Pomona-Cooroy and District Australian football Club: $197,029 out of $218,921 to upgrade lighting
Gympie
Gympie United Football Club and Barambah United Football Club have been subject to similar-costing upgrades, adding up to $156,852 on lighting and $189,769 on general amenities respectively.
Fraser Coast
$110,608 out of a total $122,898 has been put towards Burrum District Golf Club to install accessibility lift, path and ramps.
Wide Bay and Burnett Region
Three sports clubs between South Burnett and Bundaberg received significant facilities upgrades. $144,844 of $233,620 will be spent on amenities at Eastern Suburbs Magpies Junior Rugby League Football Club, as well as $225,000 of $250,000 to upgrade courts and Nanango and District Netball Club and a further $102,250 of $164,920 on amenities at Kingaroy Rugby League Football Club – Juniors and Seniors.
Rockhampton
A whopping $43.1 million was committed the Browne Park redevelopment, out of a total $54.3 million for stage 1 works. An additional $5 million this financial year has been committed towards a new ‘home of netball’ in Rockhampton – including design, costing and gaining relevant approval.
Greater Whitsundays
Two centres and three clubs will benefit from a combined $1.7 million spend in the Mackay and Greater Whitsundays Region. Mackay Brothers Football Club (rugby league) change rooms will cost $217,000, while Airlie Beach Bowls Club dome roof is set to reach the $600,000 mark from a $1 million total spend. The roof installation over the existing bowls green will provide all-weather protection.
Denison Park amenity upgrades in Bowen will cost $400,000 with the goal of providing a safe and more inclusive venue. A further $225,000 of $250,000 will be spent on lighting upgrades to support cricket at Bowen.
Townsville
Lighting upgrades to North Thuringowa Rugby League Football Club will cost $157,907 of a total $175,452 spend, while Brothers Townsville Football Club change room construction are set to cost $195,480. Slightly less costly are the new change rooms slated for Townsville Basketball ($136,203) and tennis court resurfacing at Western Suburbs Tennis Club ($127,544).
Cairns
$11 million will be spent on the development of a 94-kilometre walking and mountain bike trail from Palm Cove to Port Douglas.
North West Queensland
Over $720,111 will be invested into sport in the Mt Isa, spread across three popular codes. $175,285 of $282,717 will be spent on the installation of change rooms to support rugby league in the region, while $222,426 of $358,752 will be put towards construction of netball amenities. The largest spending on Mt Isa sport was $322,400 of $520,000 total dedicated to the construction of football change rooms. $634,000 out of a $834,000 total spend has been committed to install shade structures, grandstand seating and amenities at Cloncurry Recreation Grounds, Dajarra Sports Grounds and the Cloncurry Equestrian Centre. $135,282 of a total $150,313 will also be spent to install irrigation to support multi-sport. Richmond is line for a boost too, with $178,219 out of a total $198,021 set to be spent to upgrade lighting to support multi-sport. Rounding out the healthy north west spend, construction projects in Hughenden – multi sport facilities – tipped over at $312,073.
Central West Queensland
Winton had $82,115 out of a total $132,444 committed to the Winton Golf Club this financial year. The money will construct amenities and support golf. Barcaldine and District Athletics is set to receive $64,254 out of a $103,635 total, while Barcaldine Golf Club will have $17,000 out of a total $147,000 spent to upgrade amenities which will improve the club’s ability to host event and facilitate overnight camping on the grounds.
South West Queensland
Quilpie Club is set for $282,971 out of a $314,412 total spend to be put toward the construction of a retractable shade structure to support lawn bowls at Quilpie. While $322,400 out of a $520,000 total spend will be tipped in to construct amenities to support multi-sport at Charleville.
Who missed out?
From a community sport perspective, the Gold Coast and Darling Downs region clubs were the biggest losers from the state budget, with no commitments made to local sporting clubs or organisations in either region.
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Originally published as We breakdown the Queensland Government’s community sport spending in the 2024-25 state budget
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