Community infrastructure and the University
9 December 2006
The media coverage of the launch of work commencing on the Health and Sports Precinct a few weeks ago prompted some responses that warrant clarification.
The University ($7m), Education Queensland ($2m) and the Department of Sport and Recreation ($900,000) have embarked on the building of a major $10m Sports Stadium, not only to meet the needs of University and school students, but also those of the local community, in particular.
The conception of both the Stadium and use of the nearby fields is based on the SunROC ‘Regional Sport and Recreation Facility Study (2005-2020)’, which was developed from extensive community consultation, and is not the whim of any particular individual or group. It complements another similar facility provided by Caloundra City Council at Golden Beach, which has been badged by that report as “the main regional venue” for indoor sports. Hence Caloundra City Council would hardly be interested in subsidising another stadium. Noosa also has its own Leisure Centre. This Stadium, therefore is predominantly for local use, but with a clear capacity to host some regional sports such as futsal.
The launch also highlighted the importance of the public fundraising campaign for $3.5m to build the first phase of an eventual tower, but initially to house a gym, hall of fame, health and sports research unit, as well as space for professional staff. The facilities would take sport and testing to the highest levels. This is part of the ‘Building Excellence’ campaign.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Mayor of Maroochy, the Director-General of Education, and the University Vice-Chancellor in 2005. The intention of the MOU was to share the responsibilities for the development of lands designated for the ‘Sports Precinct’ and ‘Knowledge Precinct’ at Sippy Downs.
For its part, the University has provided 6 hectares of open fields to allow Maroochy Shire Council to meet their obligation to contribute to surrounding residential development. I suspect the value of that land could be in excess of $10m. In addition, more land has been committed for the Stadium and work has been commenced on the Stadium itself for a further $10m.
This Stadium may not have been the one where we point the finger at SunROC. But we do need to be clear, one way or another, how partnerships can be genuinely progressed for the community as a whole, because with the Innovation Centre, the Art Gallery, the Athletic Track, the sports fields, as well as the Stadium and all the associated lands, the University is carrying a heavy burden of public infrastructure on costs, now well over $30m.
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Professor Paul Thomas is Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Sunshine Coast.