The Rudd Government will deliver up to $5.3 million to upgrade Townsville’s Tony Ireland Stadium to help secure the future of cricket and football in north Queensland.
The Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Australia today announced the funding in Townsville as part of the Government’s economic development plan for northern Queensland.
This funding will be matched by the Townsville City Council to deliver the $10.6 million project.
The 10,000-seat Tony Ireland Stadium is the only professional grade AFL and cricket facility in northern Queensland but its lighting prevents the staging and televising of most national and international matches.
That will change once the lighting and stadium upgrade has been completed.
This is good news for tourism and the economy, and it is good news for the north Queensland community.
Local families, schools and teams of all abilities and ages will be able to use a top-class facilities right in the backyard.
And it will allow Townsville to bring national international standard events to the Tony Ireland Stadium.
This upgrade will improve lighting from 200 lux to 1200 lux intensity, reinforce existing light poles, involve significant electrical works.
It is part of our positive plan for regional development in northern Queensland for the future.
The Government has been working with the northern Queensland Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees and stakeholders to identify priorities to support growth.
The region generates approximately $60 billion in gross regional product annually from mining, agriculture, energy, education and tourism.
North Queensland has an exciting future and the Rudd Government is committed to working with the community to support jobs and unlock future growth.