Rockhampton's rich hockey tradition has been given a boost with $2.5 million in funding from the Palaszczuk Government's Works for Queensland program for a new international standard hockey field.
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe was in Rockhampton today to inspect progress on the Kalka Shades Hockey Field project.
"This is another great example of how the Palaszczuk Government's $600 million Works for Queensland program is delivering for Rockhampton Regional Council and the residents who live here," he said.
"The Palaszczuk Government is investing $2.5 million in this project which will create a world class hockey facility.
"Rockhampton has a rich Hockey Tradition with legends of the game Jamie Dwyer, Matt Gohdes and Mark Knowles all coming from the region.
"The new field will provide the facilities to develop the skills of the next generation of international hockey stars.
"It's also great news for the local economy, with the project supporting 38 jobs.
"To date, Works for Queensland has delivered more than $27.2 million to Rockhampton Regional Council for infrastructure projects which have created or sustained more than 560 jobs.
"It shows that the Palaszczuk Government is delivering jobs and economic development in the Rockhampton region."
Member for Rockhampton Mr Barry O'Rourke said: "The Rockhampton Hockey Association is central to community sport for our hockey sportsmen and women in Rockhampton.
"Hockey has been played as a sport in Rockhampton since the 1930s with players moving to the Kalka Shades fields in around 1950. There are now some 800 - 1000 junior, school and senior players using the fields most weeks for fixtures.
"All levels and age groups will have the opportunity to play on the 2 international standard turf fields thanks to the funding provided through the Works for Queensland Program.
"Really good results can happen when all three levels of government work together to support our community," said Mr O'Rourke.
The Mayor of Rockhampton Regional Council Margaret Strelow thanked the State Government for the Works for Queensland Funding
"We have a strong hockey community and a great track record of producing world champion hockey players. But the reality is that to serve local needs and to be able to host State or National competitions, two artificial turfs were needed," Mayor Strelow said.
"The Hockey Association raised a lot of money themselves, and money has come from a number of sources including Council, the Federal Government and other State Government grants but it was the Works for Queensland funds being available that sealed the deal.
"Once again the State Government's Works for Queensland funding is helping to deliver projects that significantly improve community facilities."
The President of the Rockhampton Hockey Association Barbara Knowles said this new international standard field will confirm Rockhampton as a powerhouse of Hockey in Australia.
"I am very excited that we will host the Oceania Cup in September with six test matches plus the Hockey 5's tournament," Barbara Knowles said.
"I encourage everyone to come and see this world class competition at our new grounds," she said.
The Queensland Government's $600 million Works for Queensland 2017-19 program is supporting more than 1,350 jobs in regional towns, while assisting councils to build critical infrastructure.
