Did you know Rockhampton is the largest city in Australia that does not have a proper athletics tartan track?!?

For many years now, people have tried to convince the local government that Rockhampton is in desperate need of a proper tartan athletics track. Some people got close and managed to put a plan together with CQU and even had drawings and plans ready, but due to lack of funding this fell through.

We have so many kids, teenagers and adults who are into recreational running or athletics who would benefit from having a track in our beautiful town. But it’s not only runners who will benefit from this facility. Athletics facilities often provide added training options for other sports such as football, rugby and hockey to name a few, who all work on speed and fitness with their athletes. Tartan tracks are also more accessible for athletes in wheelchairs compared to grass tracks.

Talented athletes have to spend a fortune to travel to other cities to compete and once old enough are seen moving to other cities to have proper training facilities needed to fully reach their potential.

Not only would a local athletics track offer the proper training facility our local athletes have been longing for, it would allow local competitions, and attract  athletics events, which usually have to be held in Mackay or other cities.

It would be a perfect option for winter training for our elite Australian athletes heading overseas, a great training base for travelling teams coming to the Olympics, offer a facility for events like relay for life and so much more!

Having a proper training facility could attract more coaches to the region with living and housing being more affordable, great weather all year round, no traffic and short travelling times from work to sports, it would be the perfect place to live for athletes and coaches. 

With government planning a new sports precinct, now is the time to include a proper athletics track into those plans. What is a sports precinct without a proper athletics stadium?!

Your support for this petition is much appreciated! Thank you