Scott Morrison MP, Shadow Minister for Immigration, has joined Ewen Jones, LNP Federal Member for Herbert, in announcing that an elected Coalition Government will invest $5m towards the construction of a Community Centre and Cyclone Evacuation Shelter in the Northern Beaches.
The $5m investment is a major boost for the local community in the Northern Beaches region and will house change rooms and facilities that will service the local AFL Community.
The Community Centre will be located adjacent to new sporting fields in the Northern beaches Town Centre at North Shore, next to the Stockland Shopping Centre.
“My vision for this landmark community centre in the Northern Beaches is that it becomes a true hub for grassroots junior sports and activities, and most significantly it will be a safe haven in times of emergency such as cyclones.
“When Cyclone Yasi hit in 2011, families in the Northern Beaches were forced to evacuate and the nearest shelter for them was the Townsville Showgrounds.
“When I met with local residents in the aftermath of Cyclone Yasi they expressed their great distress at the lack of facilities in their area. The Northern Beaches is home to many new families to Townsville who do not have the ability to bunker in with their relatives.”
“Governments spend billions of dollars after a natural disaster.
“This is about being proactive in disaster management and getting the maximum value out of the taxpayer dollar.
“This investment is great news for the local community, great news for the local economy and jobs, great news for local junior sport.”
Townsville City Council’s Chair of Planning Cr Tony Parsons and Chair of Parks Pat Ernst, and AFL Queensland CEO Michael Conlon joined Mr Jones and Mr Morrison for the announcement.
