The LNP has committed to a major lighting upgrade at the Maroochydore Rugby Union Club to help the club’s ongoing battle to pay the heavy annual repair bill.
LNP Maroochydore MP, Fiona Simpson said that the project would allow the club to replace the rusting and failing lighting system at the Cotton Tree grounds.
Ms Simpson said the $620,000 project was part of the LNP’s focus on working harder for Queenslanders, while under Labor Queensland was heading in the wrong direction.
“This lighting upgrade will make life so much easier for the Maroochydore Rugby Club,” Ms Simpson said.
“We need to help community clubs to keep the lights on and make sport accessible for players and the many other community groups that also use the grounds.
“The rusting lights are at their end-of-life and the cost to replace them is too much for this club who gives so much to the community.”
Club President Troy Derwin said up to 30 per cent of the club’s annual budget went on repairing the old lights and the cost of full replacement to new technology was out of reach, but desperately needed.
“We have been in a real bind; unable to afford a full replacement of the lights, but also struggling to maintain other parts of the club given the expense of maintaining these lights,” Mr Derwin said.
“Those funds should be going into other projects to enhance the rugby experience for our junior and senior players and the broader community.
“We’ve had no choice until now.
“I can’t tell you what this funding will mean to the future of the club.”
Ms Simpson said the current lighting system is over 20 years old; rusting and near failing.
“Only the LNP delivers the services needed for the State’s Future to support our communities,” said Ms Simpson.
Ms Simpson said Labor’s failures have overseen $20 billion-plus in project cost blowouts that could have instead delivered grassroots infrastructure like new lights for the Maroochydore Rugby Union Club.
“Queenslanders should have a government that delivers the programs and services needed for the State’s future, supporting our communities,” Ms Simpson said.
“Queenslanders must show Labor the door in 2024, to ensure the right focus on delivering the programs, services and communities for our state.
“Only the LNP stands ready to deliver a fresh start for Queensland.”