Sunshine Coast Regional Council has completed a $1.46 million clubhouse and change rooms at G Rae Oval in Palmwoods – home to Hinterland AFL and Palmwoods Cricket Club.
The works were delivered by Council through Murphy Builders, who employed 70 local tradies throughout the construction works.
Sunshine Coast Division 5 Councillor, Winston Johnston said the Jubilee Drive facility, affectionately known as ‘The Woods’, had been completed in time for the 2021-22 cricket season which starts in October.
“What a terrific kick-start for the Palmwoods Cricket Club’s junior and senior teams this season and a fitting finale for the Hinterland Blues AFL Club to mark the end of a challenging season which saw the seniors make their first grand final appearance in 10 years,” Cr Johnston said.
“Sporting clubs are a critical element of the social fabric of our communities and play an incredibly important role not only in enabling local residents – particularly children and young people – to get active, but they also help to bring communities together and reduce the incidence of social isolation.”
AFL Facilities and Government Manager (Queensland), Cobey Moore said the planning and development of fit-for-purpose infrastructure would play a vital role in ensuring the game can continue to cater for everyone who wants to be involved.
“This project is a shining example of what can be achieved when stakeholders across government, local communities and the AFL come together for the benefit of people and communities who will use these magnificent facilities,” Mr Moore said.
“The entire team at Council is to be congratulated for the speed of moving this project from concept through to build and now completion in such an efficient manner.”
Queensland Minister for State Development, Steven Miles said a $500,000 investment through the COVID Works for Queensland program had helped make the clubhouse a reality.
“The $200 million COVID Works for Queensland program is helping local councils deliver vital infrastructure which create jobs and improve community wellbeing,” Mr Miles said.
“These facilities will allow more people to join their local sporting club and create many positive, far reaching community benefits for years to come.”
The new clubhouse and change rooms were jointly funded by Sunshine Coast Regional Council ($700,000), the Queensland Government’s COVID Works for Queensland program ($500,000), the AFL Grand Final Facilities Fund ($150,000), Queensland Cricket ($100,000) and Nambour and Hinterland AFC ($10,000).
