Home stretch for track bid

Work on a synthetic running track at Deception Bay’s Zammit Oval could start within months with funding from the Federal and State Government’s locked in.

Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth says the project will receive $1.5 million in federal funding and he hopes work would start this financial year, subject to council approvals.

Mr Howarth says it is an important project for the Moreton Bay Region.

“Deception Bay in particular had been overlooked for many years in their infrastructure, including sporting. With more and more young families moving to the area, this type of world class facility gets them outside running and jumping like kids should,” he says.

“This world-class track will put Deception Bay on the map. There has not been a public track built since the QE2 track in 1975. This type of facility allows Moreton Bay athletes of all abilities the opportunity to train and excel at athletics.”

Creating a cradle for champions

The State Government will provide $1 million in funding and State Member for Bancroft Chris Whiting says the track will “make Deception Bay a cradle of future of Olympians and champions”.

“I know one day we’ll see on TV an athlete from Deception Bay Little Athletics, standing a podium with a gold medal around their neck,” he says.

“This contribution to an artificial running track at Zammit Oval will be a part of that athlete’s story. The Deception Bay Little Athletics and Deception Bay Amateur Athletics have already produced Australian champions such as discus thrower Mitchell Cooper.

“This commitment means so much to me because a group of us including Adam White, Gary Marris and Dave Armitage have been chasing an artificial running track here for 15 years.”

Mr White says he’s “over the moon” to hear of the funding to assist with construction of a new all-weather athletics track as a community asset for all to use.

“Deception Bay deserves a sporting facility that will be known across the nation,” he says.

“This facility will also attract athletes of all levels and sports and will provide additional support to the Brisbane bid for the 2032 Olympic Games.”

Work to start soon

Deception Bay Little Athletics Centre Manager David Armitage says he hopes work can start in May so there will be little disruption to the Little Athletics season, which starts in September.

“It’s exciting, it’s awesome, it gives not only our athletes but athletes in the area an internationally accredited track to train and compete on,” he says.

He hopes the all-weather track will attract big meets to the region as similar tracks at Nudgee, the Sunshine Coast and Robina do.

Mr Armitage says it will have the capacity to be used by sporting teams and schools, even World Masters athletes for speed and beep tests.

Mr Whiting says a series of meetings has commenced between all three levels of government and Deception Bay Amateur Athletics Club and Deception Bay Little Athletics to plan and design the project.

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