Rockhampton Regional Council unveils multi-use sports precinct master plan

An exciting master plan has been unveiled for a multi-use sports precinct in North Rockhampton. PHOTOS, VIDEO

A master plan has been unveiled for a landmark sports precinct in Rockhampton, with the first stage promising to revolutionise netball for the region’s 1500 players.

Rockhampton Regional Council released the exciting proposal, which includes new sporting infrastructure and open space, as well as a playground and community recreation facilities, on Wednesday, October 4.

Developed in partnership with CQUniversity, it will be located along the eastern side of the North Rockhampton campus.

Stage one of the development promises to deliver a new, flood-free and contemporary home for Rockhampton netball.

It includes 16 fit-for-purpose hard courts, new club facilities, change spaces and a three court indoor facility.

However, the precinct is not just confined to netball.

It will also include a community play space with playground, basketball and pickleball spaces, as well as access to the precinct via Norman Rd at Foulkes St.

Rockhampton Regional Council has released a master plan for a multi-use sports precinct in North Rockhampton. Picture: RRC

Councillor Cherie Rutherford said council was looking forward to working with other sporting associations and clubs to meet the needs of as many sports as possible through the development of the precinct.

“What we have unveiled is far more than just an idea – it is a real and tangible plan to create a thriving sports precinct in the heart of our region,” she said.

“This is an expensive project and we are going to need all levels of government to help us build this.”

The full master plan includes a six court indoor sports centre with associated facilities, 16 court outdoor precinct, extensive grass playing fields which have the potential to be either six rectangular or three oval fields, and associated club facilities, athletics facilities, park area with recreation facilities and play spaces and carparking throughout the precinct.

The precinct has been developed in partnership with CQUniversity and will be located along the eastern side of the University campus. Picture: RRC

Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said the next step was a detailed design and costings for stage one, with the project requiring funding from the state and federal governments.

“We see this as the foundation for a sporting precinct that is going to provide a location for many sports for our community going forward for many years,” he said.

“We have already started engaging with other levels of government and I’m hopeful that we will see a positive response from our state and federal colleagues about the project.”

Cr Williams said delivering a new home for Rockhampton Netball was something the council had been working on for a number of years.

Councillor Cherie Rutherford, Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams, Rockhampton Netball president Simone Hitchcock and CQUniversity professor Grant Stanley. Picture: Aden Stokes

Rockhampton Netball president Simone Hitchcock said the surfaces for the players at Jardine Park were deteriorating.

“We currently have two courts that are completely out of commission and in the next five years we are looking at another three or four that might be out of commission,” she said.

“By moving to a new facility we will be able to provide a much better facility for our athletes to be able to play their sport they love.”

Ms Hitchcock said there were 1500 netball players in the region and that they would be able to host senior and junior state age competitions at the precinct.

“A new netball precinct at CQUniversity will mean Rockhampton can attract larger competitions we have previously missed out on and gives our local players exposure to that high level of play in the future,” she said.

“The new precinct will help develop local talent and cater for increasing demand as we see more and more people participating in the sport across the region.”

The master plan includes new sporting infrastructure and open space, as well as a playground and community recreation facilities. Picture: RRC

CQUniversity chief operating officer Australia Narelle Pearse said CQUniversity was supportive of council’s plan to house the precinct on the North Rockhampton campus.

“Universities act as important community hubs and co-locating this precinct on the Rockhampton North campus will benefit our staff, students, residents at Capricornia College, sporting organisations from across the region and the general community, who will all be able to access the excellent facilities set out in the council’s masterplan for the precinct,” she said.

The plan will require State and Federal Government funding. Picture: RRC

“We look forward to working together with Rockhampton Regional Council on this exciting community project.”

The community will be invited to provide their feedback on the precinct and components via a community engagement process beginning in October.