Hockey Queensland in Colmsie has highlighted the severe lack of suitable facilities in Brisbane, despite the city’s status as a future Olympic host and Queensland’s reputation for producing top hockey talent.
The call for improved infrastructure comes as Brisbane prepares to host the 2032 Olympic Games. A recent Hockey Major Infrastructure Feasibility Study by Oltium Planning revealed a significant deficit in synthetic pitches, with seven more needed to meet current community demands and an additional ten required by 2042.
Current State of Facilities
The existing State Hockey Centre in Colmsie has been described as the worst hockey facility in Australia.
Hockey Queensland chief executive Alison Lyons stated that regional centres like Townsville, Mackay, and Cairns boast better facilities than Brisbane’s main hockey venue. This situation has left the sport’s governing body unable to host sanctioned international events in the state capital.
Queensland has invested over $14 million in community hockey since January 2015. This includes $481,177 allocated to Hockey Queensland for constructing change rooms and an officials room to support female participation at Colmslie. However, officials have shown reluctance to commit to a new facility, citing financial constraints.
Future Plans and Opportunities
Hockey Australia desires to bring international events to Queensland, recognising the state’s enthusiastic hockey community and its track record of producing high-performance players. However, more suitable infrastructure is needed to prevent this from happening.
Ms Lyons emphasised the need for facilities that would not only support the Olympic Games but also bring other major events to Brisbane. She suggested the possibility of hosting a 2030 hockey World Cup as a lead-up event, which would benefit both the Brisbane community and the wider Queensland region.
If elected, the opposition has announced plans for a 100-day review of Games infrastructure by an Independent Infrastructure Co-ordination Authority. This review would consider the Games’ requirements and deliver a comprehensive plan for transport, infrastructure, and legacy projects.
Published 29-July-2024
