Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann today announced that a re-elected Albanese Labor Government would provide $4.5 million to Ipswich City Council to establish a new home for rugby league and other sports in the booming Ripley area in Ipswich.

This election commitment would contribute to the development of a Rugby League and Sports Centre at the Monterea Sports Field located within the Ripley Valley Priority Development Area (PDA).

It will include two full-size rectangular fields, a clubhouse, lighting, irrigation, four hard courts, 100 car park spaces, a community centre, a playground and a drainage/detention basin.

Federal Member for Lilley Anika Wells joined Mr Neumann at the Monterea site to make the announcement, which is set to benefit local sporting clubs and potentially hundreds of young players and their families.

Ipswich is one of the fastest growing regions in the country with many young families moving to new growth corridors like the Ripley Valley PDA, which is expected to house a population of 131,000 in the coming decades.

The new facilities would help meet demand from both sporting clubs and families for more grassroots sport and community infrastructure and support the growth of rugby league and other sports in the local area and wider Ipswich region.

Located in a new housing development, the Rugby League and Sports Centre would deliver much-needed football grounds for the Ripley area and facilities that could be utilised by a range of groups, supporting an active and connected community.

This funding builds on a fulfilled 2022 Labor election commitment of $1 million to upgrade the Ripley Valley Football Club clubhouse and facilities at Ironbark Park, which has provided a huge boon for this fast-growing football club.

Consistent with past practice, election commitments will be delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles. 

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann:

“This is great news for the booming Ripley area and builds on Federal Labor’s record of delivery for Ipswich.

“A new Ripley Rugby League and Sports Centre with a clubhouse and other infrastructure will be critical to meeting demand and I’m looking forward to seeing local clubs enjoying modern facilities here in the seasons ahead.

“We know there is huge demand for more sporting and community facilities right across the Ipswich region, and we want to encourage more kids to get involved and play sport.

“Community sport brings people together and brings a sense of pride, so this is a fantastic investment and will benefit the Ripley community for many years to come.

“Our funding commitment will not only help today’s players, but will provide a boost for rugby league and sport in Ripley and the wider Ipswich region well into the future.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Lilley, Anika Wells:

“There are so many benefits from young people getting active and playing team sport – it teaches kids the value of health and fitness, teamwork, social skills and resilience.

“We want to see more kids off their devices and onto the sports field, which is why a re-elected Albanese Labor Government will pitch in to support local community sporting facilities.

“This is good for our kids and good for the local community.

“This is another example of Shayne Neumann’s tireless advocacy delivering results for his community.

“It shows only he can be trusted to secure the government funding the Ipswich region needs to continue to be a great place to live and raise a family.”