Football Queensland’s (FQ) strategic master planning and advocacy work is restructuring infrastructure in football across Northern Queensland, with more than $15 million secured in the past year through state and federal pre-election funding commitments and direct FQ investment. These funds are supporting upgrades at local clubs and progressing FQ’s four master-planned Northern football hubs.
The Future of Football reforms launched by FQ in 2020 initiated a statewide master planning process, shaped by a detailed needs analysis across Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Mount Isa. These plans underpin a targeted government engagement strategy, aligning community priorities with a clear roadmap for delivery.
Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci has welcomed a surge in infrastructure investment across Northern Queensland.
“Our Northern regions have always been strongholds for our game, but their infrastructure needs were overlooked for too long. That’s changing now as we’re now seeing government recognition and support starting to match the scale of football in the region – particularly in the Far North, where participation has grown by over 28% in 2024,” he said via press release.
“In addition to our direct investments into the four Northern hubs each year, our government engagement strategy led by the #EQUALISER campaign has delivered record infrastructure funding commitments statewide, including over $6 million in pre-election commitments during the 2024 state election for North Queensland and currently sitting at more than $9 million ahead of May’s federal election.”
In the Whitsunday Coast, Mackay Football Park’s master plan is delivering upgrades, including new changerooms, seating, and improved maintenance, supported by $800,000 in 2024 state election funding.
In Far North Queensland, a $4.1 million federal commitment is advancing the Macca’s Park master plan in Cairns, with new amenities and a Centre of Excellence to boost the venue’s role.
In the North West, $600,000 is funding major improvements at Mt Isa Football Park, including new female changerooms and upgraded facilities.
In Townsville, progress continues on the Paradise Park master plan, with FQ working to secure funding for a synthetic pitch to support year-round football for over 5,000 participants.
Beyond the hubs, local clubs across the Northern Conference are also benefiting, with over $2 million in pre-election funding committed to lighting upgrades, surface improvements, and amenity enhancements to support the region’s growing participation.
Cavallucci highlighted that the record funding reflects FQ’s long-term strategy, driven by the Future of Football reforms and a unified approach to advocacy.
“These record funding outcomes reflect FQ’s long-term strategic plan for regional infrastructure investment. The Future of Football reforms were critical in enabling FQ to advocate for investment through one unified voice to government. Progress is continuing to be made through a measured approach, as we invest over the next five years to bring to life and deliver the four master plans,” he continued on to say via press release.
Football Queensland will continue to collaborate with all government levels in the lead up to the 2025 federal election and beyond, advancing key projects and ensuring the needs of regional football are prioritised.
