Luke Howarth (Petrie, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to congratulate all those responsible for the housewarming that was arranged to officially open the new stadium at Dolphin Oval in Redcliffe last Saturday night. It was an unforgettable housewarming for our new stadium, and, to really top the night off, the Redcliffe Dolphins won the game against the Tweed Head Seagulls by some 74 points to six, also wrapping up the minor premiership in what has been a stellar year.

I was approached by the Dolphins some two years ago, as they had vision and they needed funding to make this community benefit a reality. I was very pleased to secure some $4 million in Commonwealth funding to build the Des Webb stadium. The stadium is important infrastructure for our community. It will bring an added boost to tourism and, in addition to the 200 construction jobs, it will provide ongoing casual work opportunities for over 100 people, which is very important for senior people in my electorate of Petrie and also for younger people who are actively studying.

Investment in sport encourages people of all ages to be active, which reduces the burden on taxpayers in relation to preventative health. The opening of the Dolphins' stadium was a wonderful celebration and an important milestone for the Dolphins club.