Synthetic athletics track

The rapid rise of local sprinter Gout Gout and the leadup to 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games prompted Ipswich City Council to advocate for a synthetic athletics track to be built in the city.

Council is in the process of identifying appropriate council-owned properties where a synthetic track could be located. This work is anticipated to be completed by late 2025.

Once a site is identified Council would required State and Federal Government funding to deliver the project.

With a shortage of synthetic athletics tracks in South East Queensland and none situated in the Ipswich region, this project represents a key piece of sports infrastructure legacy for the region. 

Currently, athletes need to travel a minimum of 40 minutes each way to access a synthetic athletics track at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC), at Nathan.

The City of Ipswich is on the lower end of socioeconomic measures and this provides a further barrier for young aspiring athletes to participate and train in athletics.

The development of a full size 400m synthetic track would complement other strategic investments into Ipswich infrastructure, increase sporting participation and aspirations, provide facilities that attract visitors from surrounding regions and support local clubs.

A new synthetic track would also position Ipswich to support the 2032 Games in delivering an additional elite ready athletics training venue in South East Queensland.