LOCKED IN: LNP guarantees $23.5m for Great Barrier Reef Arena
Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena has secured a massive election promise from the LNP for the proposed stage 2 redevelopments of the venue. Find out what this means for our Olympic dreams.
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The LNP is the first political parties to put money on the table for Stage 2 redevelopments at Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena, with deputy leader Jarrod Bleijie announcing an election promise of $23.5m in funding for the proposal.
The figure represents half of the total funding required to fully complete stage two, which will include a wide variety of new training, playing and recovery facilities for players of multiple sports across all abilities.
“This is about real investment, this is games on for the Mackay ahead of the 2032 games. We’re making sure every region can benefit from the Olympic Games,” Bleijie said.
LNP candidate for Mackay Nigel Dalton said the announcement of this 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.
“This has been a long time in the making, and I commend the community of Mackay and (Harrup Park CEO) Adrian Young for campaigning for this funding.
“When I’m out in the community the thing I hear consistently from people is that they’re tired of missing out. We’ve had enough, the time has come to change the government and bring a fresh start to Mackay.
“This is one of those opportunities that we are going to provide to the region. Our message to the sporting clubs of Mackay is that we will support you.”
LNP Member for Whitsundays Amanda Camm said this announcement would rectify the fact that the Mackay region did not have a single project announced in light of the Brisbane winning the right to host the 2032 Olympic Games.
“I’m excited about what this means for athletes in Mackay who have the Olympics, Paralympics or other representative sports in their sights. This is a game-changer,” Camm said.
“The Mackay region won’t be taken for granted any further if the LNP is voted into government on October 26.”
With 50% of the required funding for stage 2 now on the table, Young said there is still work to be done in order to turn the project into a reality.
“We will be seeking additional funding at the federal level along with providing our own funding,” he said.
“The plan for this project has been developed based on the clearly identified need for additional facilities for the stakeholders involved.
“Mackay has missed out in the past, but what we’ve seen with the LNP’s commitment to Stage 2 to bring that funding level up, and to see some of that budget for sports infrastructure flow into the region.”
While the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games remain a cornerstone of this development, Young said the opportunities that the upgraded facility would provide extend well beyond solely that event.
“We want to attract more major events and more carnivals. We do a good amount now for cricket and AFL, we don’t see as much for other sports like basketball, netball and others. We want to be able to attract those events to our region.”
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