The Rockhampton Sports Precinct will deliver a cooler, greener sport and recreation precinct under a new commitment to deliver more trees and better biodiversity on the CQUniversity North Rockhampton site.
Under the plan, Rockhampton Regional Council, CQUniversity and the Queensland Government, will commit to an extensive assessment and retention of existing vegetation to avoid unnecessary removals and protect significant species.
The plan will also commit to replacing any removals of significant trees with a 10 to 1 ratio, meaning 10 trees will replace any significant tree removal.
This will ensure greater biodiversity on the CQUniversity site and a cooler, more welcoming sport and recreation precinct for local residents and visitors.
The plan has been endorsed by Council, CQUniversity and the Queensland Government as part of detailed planning and design of the Rockhampton Sports Precinct.
Construction of stage 1 of the precinct which will deliver a New Home for Rockhampton Netball and new regional playground and community facilities is expected to begin in mid-2026, including:
- 16 outdoor netball courts
- Clubhouse, changerooms, amenities, and parking
- Upgraded roads and intersections on Norman Road at Foulkes Street
- A new park, playground, parklands and public amenities
The Queensland Government is investing $47 million into the Rockhampton Sports Precinct to finalise detailed planning and costings and deliver Stage 1 of the precinct.
The Queensland Government recently approved a 130 ha land transfer to facilitate the Rockhampton Sports Precinct at the CQUniversity site. The land transfer also supports the future delivery of 200 homes on the site as well as the retention of 81.5 hectares for the ongoing operations of CQUniversity.
Quotes attributable to Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams:
"The Rockhampton Sports Precinct will be a game changer for our region and gives us a central sport and recreation precinct for locals and visitors to enjoy.
"What's important is that this project not only delivers new sporting facilities but gives us a cool, green and modern precinct for people to use and enjoy.
"That's going to include community facilities and walking and running tracks and so it is vital that we commit to improving greenery and biodiversity on the site.
"We'll try to retain absolutely everything we can and where we do need to make some removals then we will ensure a significantly larger number of trees go in than we take out."
Quotes attributable to Parks, Sport and Public places Rockhampton Regional Councillor Cherie Rutherford:
"We are so excited to create a precinct that respects and enhances our natural environment.
"Sport is so much more than just the field you play on. It's about the facilities you have to support our games and competitions; it's about the greenery on site that makes the area cool and comfortable for players, spectators and officials.
"The sports precinct is going to be one of the most important additions to our region and having this commitment is critical to how it will operate and function.
"I really can't wait to see that first stage coming out of the ground and knowing that we will also be protecting our local trees and biodiversity just adds to that."
Quotes attributable to Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland:
"We are very busy delivering for Rockhampton and the Central Queensland communities, delivering world class sporting opportunities and infrastructure to Rockhampton."
"Just over 12 months ago, the Crisafulli Government committed to delivering for the regions; regions that had been left behind for far too long by the previous Labor Government; this delivery proves our commitment to this region."
"This provision of biodiversity protection ensures that for every tree that needs to be removed for new infrastructure, is replaced with 10 new trees. Ensuring the wildlife can still live and flourish in the area."
Quotes attributable to Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton:
"The Crisafulli Government is getting on with the job of delivering real projects for Central Queensland, and the Rockhampton Sports Precinct is a clear example of our commitment to action"
"This project is incredibly important not just for Rockhampton, but for families, sporting clubs and communities right across the Keppel electorate who will have access to world-class facilities, right here in our backyard."
"The commitment to replace every significant tree removed with ten new trees shows that this project is going above and beyond in protecting our local environment, improving air quality whilst keeping our new facilities cooler."
Quotes attributable to CQUniversity Vice Chancellor Nick Klomp:
"CQUniversity is proud to support a project that genuinely considers the land and environment it is being built on.
"The 10-to-1 tree replacement commitment is responsible planning, and it means the precinct will ultimately strengthen the already green and heavily vegetated landscape of our Rockhampton campus.
"As a university with deep expertise in environmental science and sustainability, we're encouraged to see this level of environmental care embedded from the outset.
"This project reflects our values and shows how regional development can balance growth with genuine care for Country, delivering high-class facilities while leaving a stronger environmental legacy for our community."
