Football Queensland (FQ) is continuing to deliver on important components of its previously Mackay Football Park Master Plan, announcing a series of infrastructure investment projects at the facility designed to improve the match-day experience for players, referees, and spectators, while supporting the region’s growing football community.
The significant investment in Mackay Football Park reflects Football Queensland’s strategic infrastructure plan for the region and commitment to improving the football experience and needs of the Whitsunday Coast community through transforming local facilities that better serve the demands of players, clubs, and fans.
FQ General Manager – Northern, Craig Ramage, explained that the upgrades were already making a tangible difference as an integral part of broader efforts to support football’s growth across the region.
“We’ve been listening closely to the needs of players, clubs, and spectators, and these improvements will make Mackay Football Park more functional, accessible, and safer for everyone who uses the facility,” Ramage said.
“A key part of the upgrade to the facility is the $800,000 expansion of the carpark, which has long been a point of concern, especially on busy match days, and this expansion will make a big difference by improving traffic flow, reducing delays, and ensuring smoother and safer match-day access for everyone.”
Additionally, FQ has secured a new lease agreement with Mackay Regional Council for additional land, allowing for long-term facility development and ensuring that Mackay Football Park can continue to meet the growing demand of the local football community.
“This lease is vital for future-proofing the park and ensuring we have the space necessary to keep pace with the growth of the sport in the region, and with this agreement in place, we’re able to plan for continued growth to better serve the community for years to come,” Ramage said.
Looking ahead, FQ will also complete the construction of new changerooms in 2025, addressing the increasing need for facilities that cater to women and girls. These new changerooms will feature two team rooms and a dedicated referee space, helping to support the rising number of female players and match officials.
Other improvements already underway include the installation of new Felton benches around the perimeters of the office building, and a new wheelchair-accessible picnic table, all designed to enhance comfort, safety, and accessibility for everyone.
FQ Region Manager – Whitsunday Coast, Calem Sorenson, said these improvements will create a more enjoyable football environment for all participants, highlighting that the investments go beyond just the immediate upgrades.
“Along with the major projects underway, we’ve made a number of smaller, yet equally impactful improvements. These include investing in painting changerooms, installing new signage, goal net banners, and field map signage to help players and spectators navigate the park with ease,” Sorenson said.
“Lighting repairs have also been completed for both the main building and for the fields, ensuring safe conditions for evening matches, social programs and training sessions. On the pitch, we’ve invested in 20 new 2×1 goals and a new set of 5×2 goals, as well as new goal nets across many of our goals to improve the playing experience at all levels.
“Our field maintenance capabilities have also been improved, with recent enhancements to our Mahindra tractor, allowing more effective management of the playing surface for the 2025 season, and we are also actively pursuing community grants to secure up to $100,000 for shade structures, which will provide much-needed cover for spectators and participants.
“The future of football in the Whitsunday Coast region is bright, and to support this growth, we’ve also expanded our local workforce with the appointment of Tom Faix as our new Participation Officer. His role will be instrumental in ensuring we can advance football development, accessibility and visibility across the region.”
Football Queensland remains committed to ensuring venues like Mackay Football Park continue to meet the needs of the local football community, working closely with clubs, government partners, and the community to drive ongoing investments and improvements for the future growth of the game.
