Games On! – New Netball Facility & Sports Precinct Reaches Major Miles

Published on 19 August 2025

Rockhampton’s New Home for Netball and the Rockhampton Sports Precinct has reached a major milestone with the adoption of a confirmed site layout for the new precinct located at CQUniversity in North Rockhampton.

The Queensland Government is providing $47 million to finalise the design and planning, as well as construction for Stage 1 of the Precinct through the Games On! infrastructure program.

The final layout includes a number of minor revisions to the initial masterplan to help improve movement, accessibility and connectivity in and around the site and ensure it maximises public space activation.

Importantly, all major proposed facilities and components have been retained with the final layout re-orientating components of the masterplan such as the netball court design, access roads and regional play space to better cater for the ways in which local residents, families and visitors are expected to use the site.

The changes have been made following feedback from sporting groups, associations and stakeholders.

The adoption of the revised design, including the new look design of the netball courts and clubhouse, allows Council to progress to the Development Application (DA) stage and prepare for construction to begin in 2026.

A New Home for Rockhampton Netball and establishment of the Rockhampton Sports Precinct represents a major step forward for sport in the Rockhampton Region.

The New Home for Rockhampton Netball will provide a modern, fit for purpose and flood-free facility to meet the sports growing needs whilst helping it attract major regional and State level competitions.

It is being delivered as Stage 1 of the Precinct which is the first major flood-free multi-sports precinct to be delivered in Rockhampton.

The new sports precinct was developed through a partnership between Rockhampton Regional Council and CQUniversity and will be located along Norman Road at the university’s North Rockhampton campus.

Stage 1 of the site, includes:

• 16 outdoor hardcourts courts with lighting and ‘show’ court
• Modern clubhouse and amenities
• Substantial car parking
• Youth-focused recreation park featuring climbing walls, parkour, multi-sport courts and pickleball facilities
• Extensive tree planting across the site
• Utilities and trunk infrastructure to enable future stages of the precinct and housing to the site

Future stages of the precinct will also include:

• 6 court indoor centre with gym, allied health and additional multi-use spaces
• Grass fields area with new clubhouse and space to incorporate either 6 rectangular or 3 oval fields
• Athletics centre with synthetic track, clubhouse and facilities
• Significant car parking and spillover areas
• Recreation spaces and walking and running tracks throughout

Rockhampton Regional Council will proceed to the DA stage in the coming weeks with further detailed design progressing over the coming months.

Council will continue to engage with local and State-based sporting groups and associations as well as the community through its Engage Rockhampton platform.

Construction of the New Home for Rockhampton Netball and recreational park and district play space is expected to be completed in late 2027.

Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams said this was a milestone to celebrate.

“We know that this has been a long-time in the works, particularly for our local netballers who have been seeking a new, modern facility for almost two decades,” Mayor Tony Williams said.

“This was one of the first things I dealt with as Mayor and something that we have worked on with the University, Netball Queensland and Rockhampton Netball Association every day for past the few years.

“To see it get to this stage is a real win and I know very soon we’ll be seeing shovels in the ground and the courts and clubhouse taking shape.

“I can’t wait to see this new facility being used and local residents enjoying the new park and play space.  It’s going to be a fantastic asset for our region and really will help us put our best foot forward.”

Parks, Sport and Public Spaces Councillor Cherie Rutherford said the design has been shaped by strong engagement with sporting bodies, community organisations, and stakeholders.

“From the very beginning we’ve worked with local sporting groups and regional and state sporting bodies to ensure this facility is designed to meet real needs now and into the future,” Cr Rutherford said. 

“We’ve also worked closely with the Darumbal people and broader community groups to capture cultural values, local knowledge, and aspirations for the precinct.

“The contemporary, regional-scale, multi-purpose sports precinct will transform 26 hectares adjacent to CQUniversity’s North Rockhampton campus into a destination for local athletes, sporting clubs, schools, and major events.

“We’re building something flexible, competition-ready, and able to adapt as participation trends evolve.”

Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the Crisafulli Government is proud to support a project that would drive participation in sport in the region.

"The Crisafulli Government is committed to delivering the best sporting facilities across Queensland, and we're proud to deliver these much-needed upgrades to the Rockhampton Sports Precinct," Minister Mander said.

“In addition to providing a purpose-built facility to support the growth of netball, Stage 1 will lay the foundations for one of the most impressive regional sporting facilities in the country.

“Rockhampton has a strong sporting legacy, having produced legendary athletes like Anna Meares, Rod Laver and Cameron Munster. The Precinct will provide a space for locals to enjoy sport and active lifestyles, while inspiring and developing the next generation of Central Queensland sporting talent.”

"We want the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games to be the catalyst to boost sporting participation across Queensland, which is why we're delivering the largest investment into community sport in Queensland's history."

Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton said the Rockhampton Sports Precinct will bring vital infrastructure to our region which will offer more opportunities for engaging young people in healthy outdoor recreation and sport now, and into the future.

“This is about catering to the needs of our community while planning for future generations to engage in their sport of choice,” Mr Hutton said.

“This initiative is the result of a strong partnership between the Queensland Government, Rockhampton Regional Council and CQU working together to deliver a multi-generational infrastructure asset.

“I am proud to be part of the Queensland Government who are delivering for our communities.”

Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland MP said the Crisafulli Government is proud to be backing grassroots sport in Central Queensland, and the Rockhampton Sports Precinct is a true game changer for our region.

“Central Queensland has long been a hub for state and national sporting events, and this new precinct will elevate our capacity to host major competitions while providing world-class facilities for local athletes, families, and sporting clubs,” Ms Kirkland said.

“This is more than just infrastructure - it’s an investment of $42 Million by the Crisafulli Government into our community’s health, pride, and future. The precinct will inspire and develop the next generation of sporting talent, giving young people the opportunity to train, compete, and dream big right here in Rockhampton.

“I’m incredibly proud to see this vision coming to life, and I know it will be a lasting legacy for our region.”

CQUniversity also welcomed the milestone, with Chief Operating Officer, Narelle Pearse highlighting the benefits of the partnership.

“The Precinct will complement our campus facilities and make the CQUniversity North Rockhampton campus site a true community hub, offering Central Queenslanders world-class facilities for education, training, research, sport and recreation,” Ms Pearse said.