- LNP supports community club with major lighting improvements.
- New lights enable matches to be played at night, boosting participation.
- North Mackay Saints AFL club saves money through more efficient lighting.
The LNP has committed to financially support the North Mackay Saints AFL Club to light up their playing fields if elected next month.
The funding will enable the club to replace old and inefficient lighting and allow more than 600 players and just as many spectators to enjoy night games.
LNP Shadow Minister for Rural and Regional Communities Dale Last joined LNP candidate for Mackay Nigel Dalton to announce the $450,000 commitment.
“The LNP cares about regional communities, and we know how important sport is to these teams and their supporters,” said Mr Last.
“This demonstrates our focus on working harder for Queenslanders, while under Labor Queensland was heading in the wrong direction.”
LNP Candidate for Mackay Nigel Dalton said the commitment was part of the LNP’s Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.
“Lighting up these fields in Andergrove will benefit men's and women's junior and senior AFL teams to play night games and their loyal supporters will also be able to enjoy games under lights as well,” Mr Dalton said.
“We live in the tropics and have some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the country so playing night games is not a luxury but a necessity."
“Labor’s failures have overseen $20 billion-plus in project cost blowouts that could have instead delivered grassroots infrastructure like this lighting upgrade."
“Queenslanders should have a government that delivers the programs and services needed for the State’s future, supporting our communities.”
North Mackay Australian Football Club vice president Dean Byrne welcomed the announcement and said it would be a huge boost for the club.
“The lighting at our fields at Zeolla Park in Andergrove is at the end of its useful life and the ability to hold night matches will make all the difference in the world to by keeping our players cooler and out of the sun,” Mr Byrne said.
“Upgrading these lights have been our top priority for the past four years."
“It will provide a huge boost to club morale and encourage greater participation.”
LNP Candidate for Mackay Nigel Dalton said Queenslanders could vote for a lighting upgrade for North Mackay Saints AFL and a government which worked for them, by voting LNP at this election.
“Queenslanders must show Labor the door in 2024, to ensure the right focus on delivering the programs, services and communities for our state,” Nigel Dalton said.
“Only the LNP stands ready to deliver a fresh start for Queensland.”