Labor matches LNP funding on Great Barrier Reef Arena, promises $3.2m for BB Print Stadium
Mackay’s dream of hosting a cricket event for the Brisbane Olympics has taken a huge leap forward as both parties pledge upgrades to the stadium with the best chance. But they’ve promised an extra $3m to different venues.
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No matter which party wins the Queensland election, Mackay’s Olympic dreams will score a $23m boost to make cricket matches a reality.
Harrup Park’s Great Barrier Reef Arena — described as the best regional cricket ground in Queensland — has already played host to international women’s T20 matches between Australia and New Zealand, and will soon host the men’s India A team playing against Australia A after the women played earlier this year.
Premier Steven Miles stood up at the BB Print Stadium in Mackay on Thursday morning promising $3m to revamp the car park and add a footpath connection along Leisure St.
He also matched the $23m promised by the LNP the previous day for the Great Barrier Reef Arena stage two upgrades.
That will deliver a community sports, education, and training facility adding capacity for netball, basketball, and all-abilities events — even opening up the possibility of Paralympic and Special Olympics events in Mackay.
Olympic athletes would also be able to use Mackay as a training hub.
The Daily Mercury asked the premier, along with local candidate Belinda Hassan if Labor would do everything in its power to secure a cricket event here.
“I would imagine so,” Ms Hassan responded.
“We already receive fantastic feedback from all the cricketing games that come here that this is the best regional cricket facility in the country and it’s only going to get better.”
Harrup Park chief executive Adrian Young said it is a “legacy project” which will create economic, community and tourism opportunities for the region for years to come.
“We hope we can play a role in training pre-Olympics, and be a host venue for the Olympics if cricket was added to the games.”
“Stage two represents significant investment in the region, not only for grassroots community sport, but it also puts us in a very good position moving forward to attract funding from the federal government to continue with our aspirations to host elite matches.”
This masthead also asked how Labor would respond to voters in Mackay who might question if it is the seat being at risk which has led to much more promises from the party.
“This was the most marginal seat in the state after the 2012 election,” Ms Hassan said.
At the time, Labor held on to the seat of Mackay during the wipeout which saw Campbell Newman elected.
“The LNP was in government while it was the most marginal seat in the state and we got nothing,” Ms Hassan said.
“Saying we’re only getting this funding because we’re a marginal seat is not true.”
Speaking one day earlier, LNP candidate for Mackay Nigel Dalton said the funding was “so exciting” for his electorate.
“It is a fresh start in Mackay. It’s an opportunity for the grassroots sporting community of Mackay to take off for 2032,” Mr Dalton said.
LNP Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm said she was excited about what this means for athletes in Mackay who have the Olympics, Paralympics in their sights.
“This is a game-changer,” Ms Camm said.
“The Mackay region won’t be taken for granted any further if the LNP is voted into government on October 26.”
While Labor has promised $3.2m for the BB Print Stadium, the LNP has promised $3.1m for the Wests Tigers club in Walkerston.
Mr Miles has said there’s “plenty of time” before the election when asked if they would match the promise to Wests Tigers.
The LNP has been contacted to see if it is matching the BB Print funding.
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