Page 9 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2012 YEAR IN REVIEW

INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING
Twenty-twelve was a year of transition within the Infrastructure Planning portfolio, with a new departmental structure and changes at State and Local government levels keeping us busy. We renewed focus upon developing a strategic facility plan for each club, informed by a mid-year audit of ovals across Queensland
and the Northern Rivers. This process will continue to roll out in 2013 as we seek clubs’ assistance in identifying their medium-term facilities needs and developing strategies to realise their visions.
A number of clubs completed new facilities in 2012. Among
the most heartening projects witnessed was the Kedron Lions’ construction of new change rooms, social facilities and a new canteen. Kedron faced a similar situation to many community clubs, in that their facilities were several decades old and in continual need of maintenance at significant cost to the club. Rather than seek to build new facilities alongside the existing structures, Kedron took a novel approach and repurposed a former social space to accommodate new change facilities for players. They sourced grants totalling $710,000 and installed office space and a commercial kitchen that have been occupied by community user groups to the significant benefit of the club’s football programs. Their excellent work in sourcing grants and developing new partnerships also allowed for lighting upgrades on their two ovals and refurbishment of their oval fencing. In short, through intelligent development Kedron have boosted their club’s bottom line while reducing their maintenance burden and attracting additional community members into their football club. It’s an example that we would love to see replicated across Queensland and the Northern Rivers.
Kedron are not the only club enjoying new facilities. New change rooms and player amenities were constructed at Broadbeach
and Pacific Pines on the Gold Coast, Morningside and Coorparoo in Brisbane, Collingwood Park in Ipswich and Kawana on the Sunshine Coast. These projects were in addition to dozens of minor facilities upgrades across the state, ranging from goal netting installation to coaches’ boxes and lighting upgrades.
Several major projects commenced in 2012 that will have state- wide significance when completed. A new $12 million, three-oval complex is being developed by Moreton Bay Regional Council to accommodate the Caboolture Lions, and a $4 million, two-oval new home is being developed by Gold Coast City Council for the Ormeau Bulldogs. These projects will greatly support the growth
of our game in rapidly growing metropolitan areas. Construction of AFL Cape York House in Cairns is also well advanced, comprising one oval and an accommodation facility to support the growth of AFL across Far North Queensland.
The Queensland Government changed their policy for facilities funding early in the year, and this has necessitated a shift in
our approach to facilities development. Clubs should view the reduced minor facilities grant amounts as an opportunity to focus on minor facilities projects at their ovals, such as improving lighting. Quality oval lighting is paramount to growing player numbers, as it provides safe playing conditions and allows for the fixturing of night matches. There are numerous grants available for infrastructure development that Queensland and Northern Rivers clubs can apply for. We encourage club committees that are seeking to improve their facilities to discuss their plans with AFLQ to find out how we can assist.
Lastly, it was a banner year for our Sports Turf Services unit, which undertakes turf maintenance at a large number of ovals and other playing fields across South-East Queensland. They successfully constructed a new oval at Bond University in addition to improving the playing surfaces at many of our community clubs, which is a big accomplishment for Chris Dalton and his team. We are seeking to take on more field construction projects in 2013 and welcome discussion with groups seeking to develop additional green spaces.
JACOB ANSON
INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING MANAGER
AFL Queensland
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