Next steps towards a new home for Rockhampton Netball unveiled
Published on 30 November 2023
Rockhampton Regional Council has outlined the next steps towards securing a new home for Rockhampton Netball with Mayor Tony Williams writing to Federal and State Governments to help progress the project.
The project is a key aspect of the recently released Rockhampton Sports Precinct master plan and has received widespread community backing.
Mayor Tony Williams said a new home for Rockhampton Netball was a key component of the sports precinct and would provide the association, local clubs and players the facilities they need to grow.
“We know that Jardine Park has served netball well over the years but it simply does not meet current needs nor does it provide the space for Netball to grow,” Mayor Williams said.
“We have seen strong support for netball to be delivered as stage 1 of the new precinct with most people recognising the need to provide the sport with improved courts and facilities.
“The project however can only be delivered with support from our State and Federal counterparts and so I have written to both levels of government - from the Premier and Prime Minister to the relevant Sport and Infrastructure Ministers – to put this project front and centre.
“Both the Albanese and Palaszczuk Governments have strong track records on delivering new infrastructure for our region and I want to work with them and our local MPs to make this a reality.”
A new home for Rockhampton Netball has been identified as the first stage of the Rockhampton Sports Precinct and will include 16 outdoor hard-courts, 3-court indoor facility and modern clubhouse.
Parks, Sport and Public Spaces Councillor Cherie Rutherford said the project would give netball the opportunity to grow their numbers and attract new regional and State competitions.
“We know that to hold a regional competition you need a minimum of 16 outdoor hard courts,” Cr Rutherford said.
“That is something which the current site at Jardine Park does not have and something which we have specifically catered for in the new precinct.
“Rockhampton Netball has seen some strong growth over the last 3 years, and we want to see that continue with these new facilities providing additional space for the future.
“Anyone who has played netball or who has been involved in the sport knows that we have been searching for a long-term solution to help netball expand for years.
“What we have in the Rockhampton Sports Precinct is the right location, the right time and the right opportunity.”
In October, Rockhampton Region Council released the master plan for the Rockhampton Sports Precinct which outlines a long-term vision for a new, flood-free sports and recreation precinct in North Rockhampton.
Community and stakeholder engagement on the master plan was recently completed providing strong support for the creation of a multi-use sports precinct and the need for a new home for Rockhampton Netball.
The next steps in delivering stage 1 of the precinct include detailed design, costings and planning work.
Council is also continuing to work with other sporting clubs and association to discuss future components and staging of the precinct.
Background:
- The Rockhampton Sports Precinct is a 26-hectare site located on the CQUniversity campus abutting Norman Road.
- In October, Council announced it would prioritise stage 1 of the precinct to provide a new home for Rockhampton Netball.
- Stage 1 will include 16 fit-for-purpose hard courts, new club facilities and change spaces and 3-court indoor facility. It will also include a new regional play space with community facilities and establishing works and infrastructure for the precinct.
- The project will provide Rockhampton Netball with contemporary, fit for purpose facilities and enable the sport to grow locally while attracting new regional and state level competitions which they are currently unable to do.