A new home for Rockhampton Netball will be provided as part of a multi-use sports precinct in North Rockhampton.
Rockhampton Regional Council today released a master plan for the precinct which has been developed in partnership with CQUniversity and will be located along the eastern side (Norman Road) of the University campus.
The master plan includes new sporting infrastructure and open space to cater for current and future needs of the region as well as a playground and community recreation facilities.
Under the plan which will require State and Federal Government funding, Council will prioritise Stage 1 of the development to deliver a new, flood-free and contemporary home for Rockhampton Netball. This will include 16 fit-for-purpose hard courts, new club facilities and change spaces and 3-court indoor facility.
It will also include a community play space with playground, basketball and pickleball spaces as well as establishing access to the precinct via Norman Road at Foulkes Street.
Importantly, the new netball facilities will provide additional capacity for the sport to grow and expand their fixtures, carnivals and competitions. This will include the ability to attract new state and regional level competitions and events which provide local athletes the opportunity to develop their talents at home in the Rockhampton Region.
The new site will also mean that netball is better integrated into existing infrastructure located on the University site and part of a larger, more comprehensive sporting precinct.
The full Rockhampton Sports Precinct Master Plan includes:
- 6-court indoor sports centre with associated facilities (able to be delivered in 2 stages)
- 16-court outdoor precinct
- Extensive grass playing fields (with the potential to be configured as either 6 rectangular or 3 oval fields) and associated club facilities
- Athletics facilities
- Park area with active recreation facilities and play spaces
- Car parking throughout the precinct
The Rockhampton Sports Precinct is a long-term vision to deliver sporting facilities and community open space for the future and, fully realized, will provide the region with facilities and space it needs to grow its reputation as the sporting capital of Central Queensland.
Council has already begun engaging with other levels of government to advocate for Stage 1 (a New Home for Rockhampton Netball) with detailed design, costings and land tenure agreements identified as the next step to securing funding for the project from State and Federal Government.
Council will also be working with local sporting associations and clubs over the coming 12 months to refine future staging, governance arrangements and timeframes of the remaining components of the precinct.
The community will be invited to provide their feedback on the precinct and components via a community engagement process beginning in October.
