Netball scores $2.3m to rebuild flooded courts and clubhouse

Gympie netball numbers are expected to explode after the long awaited news of a multi-million dollar rebuild of the flood ravaged courts in Hyne Street. Here are the full details and club president Colleen Millar’s reaction:

Flood images, then and now of Gympie netball courts

Gympie Netball Association will see its flood-ravaged courts, lights and club facilities totally rebuilt to better withstand severe weather events in the future.

The whole site, with the exception of the female amenities building and one shade structure, will be demolished and replaced with more resilient infrastructure after 3.6m floodwaters inundated the site in February 2022.

The federal and state governments will jointly fund the $2.34 million repair and betterment works under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, which will be administered by the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport.

It will deliver a full-site rebuild, providing an expected minimum 20-year lifespan on the facilities which are located in a flood-prone area beside the Mary River.

News Corp flood appeal donates $20,000 to rebuild Gympie Netball courts

Site investigations and detailed design are underway, with construction to start as soon as practically possible and the facility ready for play in the 2024 season.

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Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said getting Queensland’s sport and recreation facilities operational was an important step in the longer-term recovery for communities affected by the 2021-22 disaster season.

“Part of the $77 million Community Recreational Asset Recovery and Resilience Program, this project is one of 197 sporting and recreation sites the Albanese Government is supporting the Palaszczuk Government to rebuild to a more resilient standard using learnings from the 2021-22 floods,” Mr Watt said.

“Getting grassroots sport and recreation facilities up and running enables communities to come back together and do the things they love.

The Gympie Netball Association, after suffering $500,000 in repair costs, was given $20,000 as part of News Corp's flood appeal.

“These facilities are part of our social fabric as Queenslanders, so we’re making sure that they are not only rebuilt as quickly as possible, but also that they incorporate features to make them stronger in the face of natural disasters.

“The Albanese Government is committed to making sure Australians are better prepared for future natural disasters, so we can recover quicker, and we are pleased to be working with the Palaszczuk Government to deliver.”

Queensland Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the funding would help rebuild what was damaged and make the club more resilient to future natural disasters.

“All the new facilities will be designed to minimise damage to the netball courts from future floods and will require minimal ongoing maintenance other than normal wear and tear,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“This redevelopment will make a huge difference to more than 500 players at Gympie Netball Association and mean they can have their home base back, instead of playing at schools and other sites around town which has contributed to a fall in participation since the flood event”.

Gympie flood fallout, Collen Miller at damaged netball courts

“Quality sporting facilities encourage more people to play sport and keep playing, and get more people volunteering, leading to a healthier, more active state, so it’s terrific to see all levels of Government team up to deliver this important project for Gympie.”

Gympie Netball president Colleen Miller said the redevelopment would be amazing for the club.

“Our numbers will explode once we have the new courts up and running,” Ms Miller said.

“Our numbers have dropped from 500 before the floods to 350 as we have been playing on two different school netball courts and have had to cancel our mixed comp due to a lack of space while adding another night for the ladies which has been a real stretch on all the volunteers.

“Bringing everyone back together means we will be able to just keep adding to our programs and will see the numbers of players and volunteers increase over time.”