Win for local sports clubs
Tuesday, 13 July 2010 16:47
Today I welcomed the long awaited announcement that funding for the Akuna Oval lighting project has finally been approved.
This project has been three years in the making so it is extremely exciting news for the 2000 young people from Brisbane’s west who use this facility every weekend.
I am delighted that common-sense has prevailed over government rhetoric and that they have given the green light to this shovel-ready project.
Akuna Oval plays a vital role in the community. It has three sporting fields and is home to both junior AFL and rugby union clubs and every weekend 2,000 young children take the field to play their beloved code of football.
Without funding, the use of the ground had been significantly curtailed.
Many people, but in particular Sally Johannsen, have been involved with this project from day one and should be congratulated on their tremendous effort and commitment.
Despite repeated government refusals to approve this project, I was pleased to support Sally Johannsen and her committee in their dogged determination to resist government bureaucracy in an environment where the overwhelming majority of sports funding went to Labor electorates.
The CMC is continuing its examination into the use of sports grants in Queensland.