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Wednesday, 18 March 2020
Media release

Joint media release with the Hon. Mick De Brenni MP - Townsville Cycle Club receives $1.86m in disaster funding to rebuild velodrome

Townsville Cycle Club received $1.86 million in funding to make vital repairs to its flood-damaged infrastructure at the Murray Sporting Precinct which sustained damage during the February 2019 monsoonal flooding.

The repairs at the club are jointly funded under the $20 million Community and Recreational Assets program, which was approved under the joint Commonwealth-Queensland Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Federal Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said the funding demonstrates the cross-government commitment to supporting all facets of the region's recovery.

"Sport is part of the fabric that ties communities together and this funding will strengthen those ties and lift their spirits." said Minister Littleproud.

"The facilities will be an enduring and glowing legacy for the community and shows that all levels of have come together for the people of the region.

"We are here, the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments to support those communities impacted by fire, flood or cyclone, to make sure they receive the support they need to recover."

Queensland Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni said DRFA was seeing facilities restored at approximately 45 not-for-profit sport and recreation organisations across the Townsville, Richmond, McKinlay, Flinders and Cloncurry council regions.

"The 2019 monsoon weather event was unprecedented, and a time for all levels of government to come together to help the Townsville Community get back on its feet," said Mr de Brenni.

"North Queenslanders are a proud bunch, and breeding strong athletes is important to them. Delivering positive outcomes to get the Townsville Cycle Club back up and running is essential for this community."

Townsville Cycle Club President Alicia Harris said the damage that occurred to the velodrome as a result of the February 2019 monsoon event has meant that the ongoing safety of riders has been compromised due to the significant cracking of the concrete velodrome surface.

"The club has had to spend significant funds over the past 12 months to keep the velodrome operational and this funding has come at the right time to ensure the ongoing viability of the club," said Ms Harris.

"Works will include the demolition of the existing concrete velodrome and the reconstruction of an outdoor, banked, concrete velodrome that will provide track cyclists from all over North Queensland and beyond, access to a state-of-the-art facility.

"The Townsville Cycle Club has produced a number of State and National Champions at both junior and senior levels in recent years and the new facility will ensure that regional riders have the same opportunity in terms of facilities as their metropolitan counterparts."

For more information about the funding opportunities through the Department of Housing and Public Works, please contact your local Sport and Recreation Services advisor on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or visit www.qld.gov.au.