Giving Doomadgee a sporting chance
The Doomadgee Sport and Recreation Precinct will be redeveloped with more than $2.5 million Australian and Queensland Government funding.
A Police-Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) will be established as part of the redevelopment to work with the local community and run the new facilities.
The upgrades will give local sporting and community groups a place to play sport, hold meetings and other community activities. These facilities have been unavailable to the community because the precinct has been severely rundown for a number of years.
The Australian Government is providing $1.5 million in capital and $550,000 to establish a PCYC in Doomadgee.
The Queensland Government is contributing more than $380,000 towards building the club and has already completed a playground for children of all abilities at the new facility. The Queensland Government is also providing $550,000 for the operation of the new PCYC over three years and the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council is contributing $95,000 to the capital works.
The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, said getting involved in sport and participating in community activities would now be much easier for hundreds of children and young people in Doomadgee.
‘The local rugby league team, the Doomadgee Dragons, will have a new home ground to train and play on, which will help them on their journey to re-entering the regional competition. This is a huge boost for the community,’ Ms Macklin said.
‘The upgraded facilities will also provide a safe and positive space for locals to access a range of prevention, early intervention and education services.’
The Queensland Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Desley Boyle, said the new PCYC would help improve school attendance and encourage children to stay in school.
‘The new PCYC will help support local children and their families and help them deal with issues such as health, alcohol and substance abuse, as well as connect them with local service providers,’ Ms Boyle said.
The Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, said the new PCYC would work in partnership with local community service providers and volunteers to support initiatives that improve well being.
‘As well as keeping young people fit, sport also teaches them the value of teamwork, discipline and commitment. These are extremely valuable life skills,’ Mr McClelland said.
Queensland Police Minister, Neil Roberts, said the PCYC will work in partnership with the Queensland Police Service to provide affordable, appropriate and accessible programs.
‘The Doomadgee PCYC will be staffed by one new police officer and two new Police Liaison Officers,’ Mr Roberts said.
‘The Police personnel who staff PCYCs across Queensland promote positive relationships between the local community and local police, particularly through youth programs.’
Construction is expected to commence in 2010, following the wet season.