Premier Steven Miles has announced a $23.5 million investment in Harrup Park’s Great Barrier Reef Arena Stage 2, if elected in October
The commitment backs in the $10 million Labor invested in Stage 1, which included the delivery of the Tim Mulherin Green, honouring the former Member for Mackay
Only the Miles Labor Government can be trusted to deliver for Mackay, while the LNP continues to add to their $17 billion black hole but not reveal how they’ll pay for it
Premier Steven Miles and Labor candidate for Mackay Belinda Hassan have committed $23.5 million toward stage 2 of the Great Barrier Reef Arena (GRBA) development.
Stage 2 of the precinct is set to deliver a Community Sports, Education and Training Facility that will build new regional capacity to support a range of sports.
With female participation in sport on the rise across the region, the next stage of development will aim to promote further growth and performance in girls and women’s competitions.
Harrup Park management have worked with the community to ensure GRBA will be a regional centre for all abilities sport and training, and will mean the Arena is prepared to provide training and competition capacity ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Today’s commitment builds on Labor’s investment in the delivery of Stage 1.
Stage 1 of the Arena includes a 10,000 person spectator capacity for sporting games, which grows to a 20,000 person capacity for concerts.
It also features the Tim Mulherin Green, in honour of former Labor Minister Tim “Mr Mackay” Mulherin.
Stage 2 has the full support of key regional stakeholders including Mackay Regional Council, Mackay Airport, Mackay Tourism, CQU and the Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3).
Construction us set to create nearly 140 local jobs, with at least 78 ongoing.
Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:
“Local sport matters to Mackay and investing in Stage 2 of the Great Barrier Reef Arena is going to be a gamechanger for this community.
“I had the absolute pleasure of opening the Tim Mulherin Green here last year and see, first-hand, just how important this facility is.
“Stage 2 will deliver for even more sporting teams, especially female teams, as well as boost the local capacity to host bigger events and maybe even Olympics events in 2032.
“Tim Mulherin was Labor’s champion of the Great Barrier Reef Arena Stage 1 and I know Belinda Hassan will be the champion of Stage 2.”
Quotes attributable to Labor candidate for Mackay Belinda Hassan:
“The Great Barrier Reef Arena has already provided so much to Mackay, it is a no-brainer to commit to making Stage 2 a reality.
“Our region is home to some of the biggest sporting names in Australia and I want the next generation to know a Miles Labor Government will give them world-class facilities.
“I want to thank the Great Barrier Reef Arena team for their advocacy on this project. Vote Labor and we will deliver it.”
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier Cameron Dick:
“Great Barrier Reef Arena is the regional home for the WBBL and AFLW, with the Lions, Suns and Heat all playing here.
“It’s only right that we back those teams and their presence in Mackay through this investment.
Quotes attributable to Great Barrier Reef Arena CEO Adrian Young:
“Stage Two of the Great Barrier Reef Arena is a multi-sport, inclusive community education and training facility that will deliver benefits to the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region for decades to come.
“Stage Two represents a significant investment in the region’s future, fostering inclusivity, grass roots community engagement, tourism opportunities and economic growth.
“We are very thankful for the Premiers announcement of $23.5 million in funding towards the project which will be transformative for our community and equalise the opportunities for our local athletes.”
Quotes attributable to Tourism and Sport Minister Michael Healy:
“The Great Barrier Reef Arena brings together my two great passions: tourism and sport.
“This fantastic facility gives people the opportunity to come to town for a major cricket game, a state netball competition or to see Paul Kelly play a concert and to find yourself on the doorstop of the Great Barrier Reef.
“Only a Miles Labor Government will deliver Stage 2 of the Great Barrier Reef Arena, unlike the LNP who continue to make hollow and unfunded promises across Queensland, but not say how they’ll pay for it.
“The LNP cannot be trusted to deliver what Mackay needs.”
ENDS