Activate! Queensland presents a new way to activate environments, by targeting fit-for-purpose, universally designed community infrastructure to communities that need it most.
What we want to achieve
The Active Community Infrastructure initiative will allow Queenslanders to participate in physical activities in places and spaces that are best practice and generate social benefits for the community.
This initiative aims to:
- improve accessibility and a greater range of functionality and adaptability of places and spaces
- increase opportunities for individuals and communities to use places and spaces
- provide places and spaces that support broader community social and wellbeing outcomes
- inspire activity in high need communities across Queensland
We will target investment that ensures universally designed infrastructure promotes equitable access to participation opportunities for all, including:
- women
- Queenslanders who identify as LGBTIQ+
- seniors
- people with disability
This will allow local sport and recreation clubs and organisations to address barriers to participation through infrastructure such as new changerooms for sporting clubs or additional lighting for safety.
How we are taking action
Around 150 infrastructure projects are set to benefit Queensland communities over the next 3 years through the initiative.
We will deliver well-designed facilities and upgrades where they are most needed, such as:
- lighting
- surfaces
- change rooms
- club houses.
We will establish a sport and recreation infrastructure partnerships office to drive the efficient delivery of infrastructure incorporating best-practice design.
Kickstarting projects
As part of the 2019-20 Budget, the Queensland Government announced a number of community infrastructure projects (PDF, 208KB) to be funded as an initial allocation to kickstart the delivery of Activate! Queensland.
These projects were identified through previous rounds of funding programs including the Female Facilities Program and Get Playing Places and Spaces.
Each project was assessed as part of the moderation of the funded programs, which considered the following key criteria:
- supporting female participation
- supporting broader community participation
- being located generally in low SEIFA areas or communities of high need
- being focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability
- having partnerships with local governments and state sporting organisations.
The projects were also assessed on how well they aligned with the new Active Community Infrastructure initiative, which focuses on the timely and cost-effective delivery of projects in the Sport and Active Recreation Strategy 2019-2029.
Delivery of these projects will be supported by the newly formed Sport and Active Recreation Infrastructure Partnerships Office.
Helping you deliver projects
Infrastructure projects will be delivered through an evidence- based approach that aims to improve community outcomes. We will collaborate and coordinate effort by working with:
- local governments
- sport and active recreation clubs
- state level organisations
- government agencies
- other entities
- local community.
The project delivery model will be adapted to suit individual circumstances and may involve direct delivery by our department.
We will take a greater role in the delivery process to:
- reduce the burden on club volunteers
- achieve efficiencies in time and cost.
Expressions of interest
We are currently developing an infrastructure pipeline for future investment.
Expression of interest will be considered against a range of principles, such as:
- partnerships
- collaboration
- integration
- inclusiveness
- sustainability.
We will investment up to $1 million (GST exclusive) per project.
Round 1:
- October 2019: Expressions of interest open
- January 2020: Successful projects announced
Round 2:
- March 2020: Expressions of interest open
- June 2020: Successful projects announced