Funding boost to new Blue Gum Reserve changerooms

14 October 2021

The Karalee Tornadoes Junior Rugby League Club can look forward to a $620,000 upgrade to Blue Gum Reserve which will include new changerooms for home and away teams, and amenities for female players.

Division 4 Councillor Russell Milligan said the three-year project was in the concept design phase due to be completed by mid-2022, and construction was likely to start in late 2023.

“An additional $100,000 has been allocated to council’s works program to improve facilities at Karalee’s Blue Gum Reserve,” Cr Milligan said.

“Ipswich’s unprecedented growth has dramatically increased the demand for new and upgraded facilities, from new grass to more complex planning, design and construction works.

“These works for the reserve will improve the park’s amenities, so games are a better experience for players, families and fans.”

Division 4 Councillor Kate Kunzelmann said this project is further evidence of Council’s commitment to support sporting infrastructure through its ongoing and ambitious capital works program.

“The changerooms will be a welcome addition to the men’s and women’s teams that will play at the reserve and provide a pathway for juniors to play for Karalee Tornadoes’ senior teams,” Cr Kunzelmann said.

“These modern amenities have been identified as a priority for council under the local parks and sport capital delivery program and will help the Karalee Tornadoes feel even more at home at Blue Gum Reserve.”

Ipswich City Council will deliver more than $8.6 million from the 2021-22 Budget on new and existing parks and sports grounds across the city, plus upgrades, extensions and rehabilitation to other facilities.

About $5.4 million is slated to be spent on rehabilitation to sports fields and parks as part of the three-year capital program.

As part of the 2021-22 capital works budget, Council has committed $26 million towards road maintenance and rehabilitation which will add to the amenity and liveability of the city.

Project information and updates are available on Council’s interactive maps, for all works under construction or planned within our three-year capital portfolio: https://maps.ipswich.qld.gov.au/civicprojects