Newman Government helps club kick goals

The future of the Mackay Soccer Club has been secured with the Queensland Government committing $1 million dollars to help the club relocate from its current Barbour Park grounds.

Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the state had agreed to match Federal Government funding and facilitate planning changes that would ensure the Club could move to a new location as quickly as possible.

“This is a great example of the local, state and federal governments working together to end more than 15 years of uncertainty about the club’s future,” Mr Seeney said.

“Our Government is committed to working with communities to finds practical solutions to issues that had been ignored for years by the previous Labor government.

“Late last year, I met with Mackay Mayor Deirdre Comerford at a Community Cabinet and assured her that my department would work closely with the council to streamline consultation with state agencies.

“We’ve worked closely with the Mackay Regional Council to support an amendment to the Mackay City Planning Scheme, to rezone the Club’s planned new home ground at Heath’s Road. 

“The funds the State Government is committing will come from the sale of surplus state land in the surrounding area.”

Minister for National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing Steve Dickson said it was great news that the club’s future is now secure after all these years.

“The Mackay Soccer Club has been putting up with inconvenience from aircraft noise and lack of amenity since 2005,” Mr Dickson said.

“In 2009, $1 million was promised to the club to help them relocate, funding that never eventuated.

“Local sporting and recreational clubs are the backbone of regional communities.

“We’ve taken action that shows we will do everything in our power to ensure they thrive, as evidenced by our three year $47.8 million dollar Get in the Game funding.

“I would also like to thank the Federal Member for Dawson, George Christensen, for showing his commitment to club-level sport in the region.”

[ENDS] 6 December 2013

Media contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 (Deputy Premier)

                        Michelle Buckworth 047 734 0974 (Minister Dickson)