Have Your Say on the future of the Ski Gardens

Published on 15 March 2023

Councillor Cherie Rutherford .JPG

Yesterday, Rockhampton Regional Council adopted a draft Master Plan for the Ski Gardens and residents are invited to have their say on the future of this important sporting and recreation precinct.

Parks Sports and Public Spaces Councillor Cherie Rutherford said Council was eager to hear from as many people as possible on the proposed plan to understand what the community wants for this site in future.

“Councillors adopted a vision for the Ski Gardens to create a long-term active and passive recreational precinct which will leverage off the natural setting and take full advantage of Fitzroy River,” Cr Rutherford said.

“This site already forms a key part of our sporting and social fabric and presents further opportunity as we move closer to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. As we know this site is already nationally recognised, so from here we want to hear from the community about how we can maximise its potential while also enhancing our physical and mental wellbeing in the meantime.

“The Ski Gardens is obviously very popular with the rowing community but, as the Masterplan shows, there are so many different users of the site and we want to see that broad spectrum of people reflected in our consultation.

“By master planning spaces like this, we’re not only building our community’s capacity in social, sporting and leisure activities but ensuring we have fit-for-purpose facilities to cater for the tourism sector, major events, recreational businesses and associated jobs in our community.

“Similar to what we’re doing at The Common, this approach gives us the best opportunity to identify what we need as a region so that we can stage the building and delivery of improved facilities and amenities in a coordinated way.

“We have worked very closely with the clubs and associations that currently use this space to identify their challenges and future needs and now we want to hear from the wider community on what they want to see.

“Some of the features of the plan include a new amenities block with showers and changerooms, upgrades to access and parking, new and improved pathway networks and spectator viewing areas.

“While Council is continuing to face budget pressures, it is critical we put long term plans in place now so that we’re ready to progress works as funding and investment opportunities come up for both Council and individual user groups,” Cr Rutherford said.

To have your say on the draft Master Plan for the Ski Gardens, visit: https://engage.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/

Consultation is open now and closes Wednesday 5 April.