As the true local publication, Local Ipswich News will be covering the fast-approaching Queensland State Election closely and bringing the important news to our readers throughout the campaign.
Starting this week, we will be looking at the Tourism and Sport portfolio and how it concerns the residents of our region.
With the Brisbane Olympics now only eight years away, shovels will be at the ready to deliver stadiums and facilities for the Games that have been promised in 2032.
The Department of Tourism and Sport’s vision is for Queensland to have world-class, thriving, inclusive and sustainable tourism and sport and active recreation sectors.
As a state, the purpose is to provide and attract investment to build a more competitive visitor economy, inspire sporting success through Queensland’s elite athletes, and support active, healthy communities.
STATE BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
- $72 million over four years to continue delivery of the Queensland Academy of Sport 2032 High Performance Strategy – Inspiring Extraordinary Sporting Success ensuring elite sporting success in Brisbane 2032.
- $33.5 million in 2024-25 to increase the value of the FairPlay voucher and provide sports access to more Queensland children and young people aged between 5 and 17 years.
- $15 million over two years for the Growing Future Tourism Program.
- $10 million over two years for the Backing Bush Communities – Building Bush Tourism Fund to support delivery of the Bush Boost and Queensland’s long term Towards Tourism 2032.
- $9.5 million in 2024-25 for the Sport Minor Infrastructure Program.
- $28.3 million is allocated to Queensland Active Precincts to enhance existing state-owned sport and active recreation facilities
- $18 million to support new and upgraded facilities as part of the Minor Infrastructure and Inclusive Facilities Fund to make community sport and active recreation more inclusive, accessible, safe, and efficient.
- $14.1 million for the local community sporting infrastructure to encourage Queenslanders to be more active.
Tourism and Events Queensland’s vision is to inspire travellers to visit Queensland as their destination of choice through bold and globally recognised marketing and events that support the ambitious industry goal of growing overnight visitor expenditure to $44 billion by 2032.
KEY PROJECT FOR IPSWICH
North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct – A national-standard sport and entertainment precinct, including a 12,000-capacity stadium and a 20,000-capacity stadium which will revolutionise access to sporting and entertainment content in Queensland’s sporting heartland.
This project will increase Ipswich’s ability to host 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games events and could also feature as a training ground for athletes in 2032, delivering legacy benefits to the region for decades to come.
WHAT LOCAL ELECTED MP’S AND OPPOSITION CANDIDATES HAVE SAID?
Joint Statement from Bundamba MP Lance McCallum, Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard and Jordan MP Charis Mullen
The Miles Labor Government has consistently delivered for sporting clubs and infrastructure. Since 2020, there has been over $8.7 million given to local sporting clubs for infrastructure works and program delivery.
This includes upgrades to lighting at Blackstone United Football Club, construction of a new football clubhouse and canteen to support football at Raceview, new canteen for the Ipswich and West Moreton BMX Club, new gym equipment for Netball Queensland Brisbane West Branch and a new playground at Brookwater Park.
We have recently announced over $14.5 million for two new full-size rectangular playing fields with lighting, carparking and other public amenities at Redbank Plains Recreation Reserve. Plus plus the expansion of the Tivoli Sports Complex.
Our government has also kicked in $10 million for the proposed North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct.
This is on top of our $18 million contribution to the Brighton Homes Arena at Springfield, home of the Brisbane Lions AFLW team.
We have also boot-scooted Ipswich to the top with continued support for CMC Rocks QLD.
Georgia Toft, LNP candidate for Ipswich West:
“I look forward to further connecting with other sporting clubs throughout Ipswich to listen to their needs and advocating for their priorities.
“When it comes to investment into our supporting clubs and venues across Ipswich, we have yet again been neglected by the State Labor Government.
“Only when this decade-old Labor Government thought they were going to lose the by-election did they decide they should commit $10 million to the help upgrade the North Ipswich Reserve.
“I want to build off what Darren (Zanow, current LNP MP) has started.
Joint policy from Greens candidates:
The Greens’ Free Sport Plan would cost $2.53 billion over four years, funded by the party plan to raise $61 billion from increasing royalties on big mining companies.
It includes fully covering the cost of one sporting program or season of community sport for every Queenslander. A $150 voucher for each child to spend on sporting equipment, $200 million towards acquiring new sporting fields and green space in growing suburbs so that every child can play sport, and annual grants of $25,000 to support clubs to increase capacity.
We expect a 14 per cent increase in total participation. or an extra 110,000 kids by closing the participation rate between kids.
