FUNDING BOOST FOR TOWNSVILLE HIGH-PERFORMANCE SPORTS CENTRE

Townsville will be a hub for high-performance sport with a new $15 million innovation and training centre being delivered by the Morrison Government in the upcoming Budget.

The community and sports excellence centre is set to support the region’s premier sporting club, the North Queensland Cowboys, and deliver significant economic and social benefits for Townsville and North Queensland.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the funding injection would promote Townsville as a new destination for touring sporting teams as well as give back to the community.

“The North Queensland Cowboys are more than just a sporting icon up north – they are part of the beating heart of the Townsville community, as was demonstrated by their service during the recent floods,” Mr Morrison said.

“This new high-performance sports centre we’re backing will deliver cutting-edge facilities and access to world-class sports science, medical and allied health services.

“The centre will also relocate and expand the Cowboys’ headquarters, meaning the community-owned club can build on the work done by the Cowboys Community Foundation in making real change in employment, health and social outcomes for young North Queenslanders.

“I know our support for this project will give the people of Townsville a real boost after the difficult times they have been going through. I want to thank JT and Phillip Thomson OAM the LNP Candidate for Herbert for bringing it to my attention and making the case. We’re pleased to back JT and Phillip in and all the Cowboys on this community initiative and look forward to the benefits it will bring to the local Townsville community.”

The new high-performance sports centre comes on the back of the Federal Government’s commitment to $100 million funding for the new North Queensland Stadium.

Minister for Sport Bridget McKenzie said world-class investments in regional Australia, like the one for the Townsville High-Performance Centre, are vital to promoting physical activity.

“Our national sports plan, Sport 2030, outlines the Government’s vision for ensuring that Australia is the most active and healthy sporting nation, known for our integrity and sporting success.”

“You can’t be what you can’t see. We know this investment will inspire an new generation of athletes as they are able to share in the benefits the Centre will bring to the wider Townsville community.”

Minister for Northern Australia Matt Canavan said the new facility would benefit the entire Townsville community.

“The Liberal-National Government is already building a world class football stadium in Townsville, and this investment will mean Townsville has world class facilities for multiple sports as well,” Senator Canavan said.

“No longer will elite sporting teams or researchers have to travel to a capital city to train or get the best in sports science."

LNP Candidate for Herbert Phillip Thompson OAM said the $15 million investment is in addition to the Liberal and Nationals Government’s existing $100 million for the new North Queensland Stadium.

“The investments being made by the Liberal and Nationals in Townsville go further than just supporting football,” Mr Thompson said.

“The new Centre will be an asset for the whole community, providing cutting-edge facilities and access to world-class sports science, medical and allied health services.

“This funding boost also means that the Cowboys are able to expand on their record of 20 years of community leadership and sporting achievement."

The Liberal and Nationals Government’s commitment to the project matches the investment made by the Club, with a further matching contribution being sought from the Queensland Government.

In addition to the $15 million funding for the new centre, the Morrison Government has so far paid over $95 million in Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments and Allowances to individuals and families in North Queensland following the floods. The Government has also paid over $111 million in disaster recovery payments to communities, businesses and local governments in North Queensland, and this is expected to grow significantly over the coming months.