Mackay and Whitsundays benefit from Games legacy assets

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has today announced sporting organisations in Mackay and the Whitsundays will receive hundreds of pieces of sporting equipment from the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

The Premier said Whitsunday Weightlifting Association would receive a vast array of weights and other equipment while Mackay City Council will receive a range of assets for the Mackay Regional Sports Precinct including 120 hurdles; discus, shotput, high jump and steeplechase equipment; safety nets and bench seating. Dundula State School, Mackay Northern Beaches State High School, Pioneer State High School and Sarina State School will also benefit.

“The assets are among more than 20,000 items being gifted to schools, sporting organisations and community groups across Queensland,” the Premier said.

The reinvestment of general GC2018 assets and sports equipment was one of the many positive legacy benefits of hosting the state’s biggest ever event.

“Our Sports Assets Legacy Program involves the government delivering items to more than 100 high-performance organisations, grassroots sports clubs, community groups, schools and councils throughout the state,” the Premier said.

“The program will help communities deliver sports programs and grow participation, develop future sports stars and nurture sporting excellence for generations of Queensland athletes.”

Member for Mackay and Assistant Minister for State Development Julieanne Gilbert said the program would help inspire a new wave of emerging athletes, who would be motivated by using success of Australian medal winners.

“What a thrill it will be for a young athlete to receive a medal on the same dais that Australian swimming great Mack Horton stood proud on to receive his 400m freestyle gold medal,” she said.

“The kids at Pioneer State High School will receive a piece of track for a long jump run-up that was once used by the stars of the Commonwealth Games – this is a great win for Mackay.”

As well as sports equipment, information technology network assets, medical equipment and even mini buses will be distributed and continue to be used by local community groups and other organisations.

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said the reinvestment of GC2018 assets would ensure the creation of long-lasting benefits for communities across Queensland.

“Under the Sports Assets Legacy Program equipment will be gifted to more than 80 Queensland towns from as far south as the Gold Coast, Goondiwindi and Stanthorpe, west to Mt Isa and Doomadgee and as far north as Injinoo and Thursday Island. “We want to make sure that Queenslanders benefit from the legacy of the Commonwealth Games no matter where they live.”

Queensland communities will also receive GC2018 legacy benefits with departments including Queensland Health, Education Queensland and the Queensland Ambulance Service receiving equipment to bolster front-line services.

GOLDOC and the State Government conducted a number of processes to allocate sports equipment and other GC2018 assets, including an Expression of Interest process which began in September 2017, targeting schools, councils, high performance and community sports organisations. For more, visit www.embracing2018.com

Media contacts:

Susan McGrady 0488 996 667 or Shane Doherty 0439 624 473 (Premier's office)

Kerrie Kahlon (Minister Jones' office) 0410 136 837