Council to push for synthetic athletics track in Ipswich
09 May 2025
The rapid rise of local sprinter Gout Gout and the looming 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games have prompted calls from Ipswich City Council for a synthetic athletics track to be built in the city.
Council unanimously supported a Notice of Motion from Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle at its April Ordinary Council meeting backing a 400m track for either Limestone Park or another suitable site.
Cr Doyle, who is also deputy chairperson of the Economic and Cultural Development Committee, said council will identify appropriate council-owned properties where a synthetic track could be located and report back to the committee by June 2025.
Council will also develop an advocacy campaign to attract potential State and Commonwealth funding assistance to plan, design and construct the new track.
“With the 2032 Games approaching, and despite venues already locked in, there will still be opportunities to advocate for funding in the coming years,” Cr Doyle said.
“We need to be ready to capitalise on these opportunities by having our own tartan track planned and designed for at a council-owned facility.
“We must be the driver of this critical piece of infrastructure for our community, we can no longer rely on third parties and other local organisations to deliver.
“What an amazing legacy this track would be for our local athletes and with enormous economic benefits for our city.”
Cr Doyle said 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.
Council had advocated in recent years for a new athletics track, proposed to be built at the University of Southern Queensland’s Ipswich Campus in partnership with Bremer State High and to be funded by the State and Federal Governments – but it never got out of the starting blocks.
Cr Doyle said Ipswich needed a synthetic athletics track that was “fit-for-the-runner, fit-for-the-community, and fit-for-the-future”.
“For almost 45 years, Ipswich sprinters have dashed around Bill Paterson Oval at Limestone Park, which is home to the Ipswich and District Athletic Club and Ipswich Little Athletics, as well as playing host each year to dozens of local school athletics’ carnivals and regional competitions,” Cr Doyle said.
“As many would remember, the oval was built over a former rubbish tip that closed in 1975.
“Unfortunately, that history continues to impact the oval, its grassed 400m running track, and those who use both.
“The running surface is uneven. Drainage is poor. The subsurface continues to shift. Urgent maintenance is desperately needed in the short term.
“It’s time for Ipswich City Council to get back in the game. I have been advocating for the tartan track to remain at Limestone Park. It is the home of athletics in Ipswich and has been for almost 50 years.
“This new infrastructure would position Ipswich to support the 2032 Games in delivering an alternative venue for training.
“At a minimum it will be the training facility for our many local runners who will no doubt be in training to compete at their very first Olympic Games.
“What an advantage they will have, to be able to train in the lead up to the 2032 Games, right here in their own back yard.”
Council also recommended that the track proposal be included in its 2032 Legacy Roadmap.