Football Queensland’s (FQ) strategic master planning and advocacy work is reshaping football infrastructure across Northern Queensland, with over $15 million from state and federal pre-election funding commitments and direct FQ investments received in the last 12 months towards upgrades to local clubs and the delivery of FQ’s four master planned Northern football hubs.
The Future of Football reforms implemented by FQ in 2020 led a statewide master planning process, guided by needs analysis across Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, and Mount Isa. These plans formed the basis of a targeted government engagement strategy, aligning community needs with a clear path to delivery.
“Our Northern regions have always been strongholds for our game, but their infrastructure needs were overlooked for too long. That’s changing now as we’re now seeing government recognition and support starting to match the scale of football in the region – particularly in the Far North, where participation has grown by over 28% in 2024,” Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said.
“In addition to our direct investments into the four Northern hubs each year, our government engagement strategy led by the #EQUALISER campaign has delivered record infrastructure funding commitments statewide, including over $6 million in pre-election commitments during the 2024 state election for North Queensland and currently sitting at more than $9 million ahead of May’s federal election.”
In the Whitsunday Coast, the implementation of the master plan at Mackay Football Park has already led to significant investment for new changerooms, seating and upgrades to field maintenance capabilities. FQ also secured the lease on additional greenspace to expand the site’s carpark, improving safety and accessibility, supported by $800,000 in funding secured through the 2024 state election.
In the Far North and Gulf, a recent $4.1 million bipartisan federal commitment ahead of May’s federal election is advancing the delivery of the Macca’s Park master plan in Cairns, with new amenities including change rooms and a Centre of Excellence set to further elevate the venue’s critical role in the region.
In the North West, over $600,000 in funding is supporting the revitalisation of the Mt Isa Football Park, with major improvements currently underway, including the construction of new female changerooms and upgraded amenities, lifting the overall functionality of the venue to better serve the local football community.
In Townsville, the advancements of the Paradise Park master plan continue as FQ works with government to secure funding for a synthetic pitch to enable safe, year-round football activities for over 5,000 participants.
Alongside the major football hubs, funding is also reaching local clubs across the Northern Conference, with over $2 million in pre-election commitments made supporting lighting upgrades, surface improvements and amenity enhancements to keep pace with rising participation.
“These record funding outcomes reflect FQ’s long-term strategic plan for regional infrastructure investment. The Future of Football reforms were critical in enabling FQ to advocate for investment through one unified voice to government. Progress is continuing to be made through a measured approach, as we invest over the next five years to bring to life and deliver the four master plans,” Cavallucci added.
Football Queensland will continue to work with all levels of government in the lead-up to the 2025 federal election and beyond, progressing priority projects and ensuring the voice of regional football remains front and centre.
