Riverfront tennis courts will be a hit at Northshore

Published Thursday, 22 February, 2018 at 09:05 AM

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Cameron Dick

 

Brisbane’s severe shortage of tennis courts will be given a boost when the State Government unveils the city’s first riverfront pop-up tennis courts are at Northshore Hamilton in May.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the six temporary tennis courts – the result of a deal between Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) and Tennis Australia – may have the best views of any courts in Australia.

“Brisbane has fallen behind when it comes to tennis courts and Tennis Australia research shows the city is approximately 400 courts behind the capital city average and national average,” Mr Dick said.

“This is a great location, being right next to the Brisbane River and the recently relocated Eat Street.

“Northshore Tennis Park is going to be a fantastic drawcard, with around 10,000 people expected to use the courts in the first year, and will provide an active, competitive sporting option for the more than 2,500 people who call Northshore Hamilton home.”

Mr Dick said the site has previously been used for wharf activities, car import operations, and major events including Cirque du Soleil and the Brisbane International Film Festival Drive-in Theatres.

“It is very exciting to see this underutilised state-owned land be repurposed and renewed for a community use, and I congratulate EDQ and Tennis Australia for making this a reality,” Mr Dick said.

“The Deck, a pavilion-style building built from recycled wharf timber, is next to the Northshore Tennis Park and will provide spectators with a great space. The adjacent lawn will give spectators an area to relax and watch, making a game of tennis at Northshore a real social activity.

“Northshore Hamilton is Queensland’s largest waterfront urban renewal precinct, a massive $5 billion project in a Priority Development Area, and with the tennis, The Deck, The Lawn and Eat Street Northshore, it’s growing into a thriving community.

“Liveable communities are about more than just bricks and mortar, and these temporary facilities will greatly add to the exciting vibe.

“Another innovative touch is the trialling of new-generation energy-efficient lighting, the first to be installed in Australia,” Mr Dick said.

Acting CEO of Tennis Queensland Mark Handley said the new courts will help remedy a severe shortage in Brisbane.

“The Northshore Tennis Park agreement will give us a great opportunity to introduce tennis into this developing community, with a view to a long-term Community Activity Hub driven by tennis,” Mr Handley said.

“The success of the Roy Emerson Tennis Centre at Frew Park, Milton, has encouraged us to continue to develop a long-term, proactive strategy around establishing new tennis courts near purpose-built community activity hubs.

“We will be offering a range of programming from casual social play, junior and adult coaching, school programming, cardio tennis and fitness programming as well as regular social competitions,” Mr Handley said.

The courts will take around 13 weeks to construct, and are planned to be open by the end of May.

For more information on Northshore Hamilton and EDQ, visit http://www.dilgp.qld.gov.au/planning/priority-development-areas/northshore-hamilton-brisbane.html

 

ENDS

 

Media contact:  Cath Palmer, 0424 823 424