ASPIRING Ipswich athletes are being forced to leave their own city to train on a synthetic athletics track – a gap local leaders say must be closed if Ipswich is to play a meaningful role in the legacy of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In its Federal and State pre-budget submissions, Ipswich City Council has renewed its long-running push for a $20 million, 400m synthetic (tartan) athletics track, arguing Ipswich remains the only major growth city in South East Queensland without access to such a facility.
Despite strong participation in athletics and rapid population growth, local athletes currently face a minimum 40-minute drive into Brisbane to access a synthetic surface.
Council has lobbied successive governments for several years to secure a tartan track, with the latest submission framing the project as critical to Brisbane 2032 legacy outcomes.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the emergence of home-grown talent Gout Gout highlighted the importance of early access to quality sporting infrastructure.
“We are determined to make sure other would-be athletes in Ipswich can find their feet right here at home,” she said.
The lack of a local synthetic track was no longer acceptable for a rapidly growing city, Mayor Harding said.
Council is seeking a $10 million contribution from the Federal Government and $5 million from the State Government, with the remaining funding to be sourced through other avenues.
The athletics facility is one of several priorities outlined in Council’s pre-budget submissions, alongside calls for further investment in critical highway upgrades and delivery of the Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor.
State Member for Ipswich, Jennifer Howard has been an advocate for the facility for years and said she would continue to advocate for it.
“I’ve been pushing for a synthetic athletics track in Ipswich for many years and I welcome the fact Council has now made it a clear priority in its pre-budget submissions. This is exactly the kind of infrastructure a fast-growing city like Ipswich needs.”
