$2.77m funds for Tansey Polocrosse Complex won by equestrian club

Horse enthusiasts are celebrating after millions in funding was allocated for new polocrosse facilities.

Deputy Mayor Hilary Smerdon said the Tansey Polocrosse club deserved new facilities after the devastating flood damage of January 2022.

Almost $3 million in funding has been allocated to a Tansey Polocrosse Complex west of Gympie as part of joint disaster recovery and resilience funding following the 2022 flood and rain events.

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Expressions of interest for the funding closed on July 8, 2022, and the Tansey Polocrosse Club has secured for itself $2.77 million to build new facilities.

The flooding disaster in January devastated communities west of Gympie, and raging flash floods swept through the Tansey Showground facilities, cutting a path of destruction.

Fencing and yards were destroyed in the January floods. Photo: Julie Cunningham

Gympie Regional Deputy Mayor Hilary Smerdon said many residents lost infrastructure and livestock and several people were rescued by emergency services after they made desperate attempts to save their horses.

The severe weather cut off communications for the town and residents couldn’t prepare for the flooding that was to come, Mr Smerdon said.

A GoFundMe was launched following the damage from the floods. Photo: Julie Cunningham

“I think any grant money is great for the region especially after the events in January,” he said.

A GoFundMe page was opened to help the club get back on its feet following the floods.

Significant damage was dealt to the current club facilities, including destroyed yards, fences and buildings.

The western communities of the Gympie region, and the South Burnett, have slowly been establishing themselves as a destination region for equine events.

The Kilkivan Equestrian Centre was built in 2018.

Mr Smerdon said the Tansey Polocrosse club was a “strong club” in the region that hosted carnivals and many other clubs from around South East Queensland.

The grant money was well deserved, and the new facilities would help bring in more visitors to the region, he said.

The club and Mr Smerdon will reveal further plans regarding the funding next week.