Budget boost accelerates Supercars bid for Rockhampton

The Palaszczuk Government will provide $100,000 to the Central Queensland Motor Sporting Club to progress the next stage of planning to bring a Supercars Championship fixture to Rockhampton.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the government was committed to securing new sporting content to drive visitors and support the tourism economy in regional Queensland. 

“Having a Supercar Championship fixture here in Rockhampton would be a great win for the local tourism industry,” Minister Jones said.

“The Rockhampton Regional Council recently completed a pre-feasibility report as well as preliminary design plans for the proposed racing track. 

“These early reports indicate design and construction of the track could cost in the vicinity of $20 million with a boost to the Rockhampton region from a Supercars Championship of $14 million a year.”

Funding from the Queensland Government will be directed to the Central Queensland Motor Sporting Club to continue to build on and analyse this work with the council.

Specifically the funding will be directed to:

• Further investigation of the infrastructure component including a hydrology report;
• The development of a detailed business case that builds on the pre-feasibility report; and
• Planning and environmental assessment; local stakeholder engagement including traditional owners; and financial analysis.

Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said he was delighted that with this support the project to bring a Supercars Championship to Rockhampton could move to the next phase. 

“I’m dedicated to bringing big events to the region to benefit the community,” he said.

“Hosting an annual Supercars Championship race in Rockhampton has the potential to create jobs, grow the economy and provide a great spectacle for locals and visitors.”

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