AS the Federal Election nears, both major candidates in the electorate of Blair are pledging significant investments in local sports and recreation facilities.
Current Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann, and Carl Mutzelburg, the LNP candidate for Blair, have made key announcements aimed at improving sporting infrastructure and encouraging greater participation in local sports.
Mr Neumann has outlined a series of initiatives, including the $40 million upgrade to the North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct, a project he has championed with $20 million in federal funding secured in 2022.
He expressed his pride in seeing the project set for construction, and highlighted the recent unveiling of designs to the crowd at the Jets home game.
He also pledged $5 million to support the completion of a one-court extension at JBS Arena in Booval, adding to the $2 million already allocated for upgrades at the arena to accommodate the growing demand for basketball courts.
“This investment is critical to the future of basketball in the region, helping to meet the increasing demand for court space for seniors and juniors,” Mr Neumann said.
He also noted the Albanese Government’s broader contributions, including $500,000 for the Ipswich Hockey grounds, $2 million for a Community Sports Hub and basketball courts at Ipswich State High School, and $1.9 million for a clubhouse at the Silver Jubilee Sports Facility at Spring Mountain.
In addition, more than $8.9 million has been jointly funded by the state and federal governments for the Redbank Plains Recreation Reserve, and $5.5 million for the Tivoli Sports Complex.
“In my time as the Member for Blair, I’ve been proud to secure funding for a range of sporting organisations,” Mr Neumann said, highlighting smaller grants such as $20,000 for Western Pride Football Club to build female change rooms and $18,400 for Ipswich Switches Junior Speedway for new track timing infrastructure.
Similarly, Mr Mutzelburg has also pledged his commitment to improving sports and recreation facilities, focusing on grassroots support.
He emphasised that the LNP had a strong record of backing local clubs and investing in community sports infrastructure.
“The LNP has a proud record of supporting local grassroots sporting clubs and investing in community sports infrastructure, because we believe that everyone should have access to quality facilities to support the long-term health and wellbeing of our communities,” he said.
Mr Mutzelburg, who has personal experience with local sports clubs through his own family, promised to announce further funding commitments for upgrades to sporting fields and recreational facilities during his campaign.
He stressed the importance of boosting female participation in sport, a key focus of his platform.
“This is something that I am personally passionate about, with my own family utilising many of the sports clubs and fields here in Ipswich,” he said.
“That’s why I will be announcing a range of funding commitments during my election campaign for upgrades to sporting fields, improvements to recreation facilities, and to boost female participation in sport.”
He highlighted the role of sports in strengthening community bonds and promoting wellbeing.
“Sport and recreation play a crucial role in bringing people together, promoting wellbeing, and strengthening our community, which is why an LNP government will always back our local clubs,” he said.
