In collaboration with Gladstone Regional Council, CPR Group was engaged to prepare revised concept plans and develop a comprehensive business case to evaluate whole-of-life costs, risks, benefits and options of Harvey Road Sports and Events Precinct. The goal was to transform the venue into a leading stadium for national sports and events. Our commitment to stakeholder engagement, ensuring the precinct meets both day-to-day needs and large event requirements, has yielded positive feedback. Recognising the precinct's vital role in Gladstone, our approach prioritises the community's voice. Now, with a robust business case in place, Council aims to explore external funding opportunities, ensuring this project not only uplifts the precinct but also brings broader economic and social benefits to the region.

Working hand-in-hand with Longreach Regional Council, we're proud to have collaborated on the Park and Streetscape Infrastructure Manual. This toolkit provides a structured guide for the region’s townships – ensuring a cohesive and vibrant community feel. The Infrastructure Manual is an essential document for any council looking to create vibrant, welcoming and sustainable communities. Through the use of placemaking principles and a focus on reinforcing each township's unique identity, this Manual helps Council to save time and money and assist with strategic decisions.

Many of the fights that arise between different tenants of the same sporting facilities stem from a lack of leadership and direction from the local Council when the sharing arrangements were originally set up, years or even decades earlier.

As the pressure on public open space continues to grow, how can local governments best plan for effective multi-use of sports grounds? The shared use of sports facilities remains a hot topic, especially as land becomes more valuable in densely-populated and fast-growing communities. So where should a Council wishing to develop a community leasing policy or a tenure policy for shared use of sports grounds begin? In this article, we share what we think it takes to create a sustainable culture of facility sharing and we provide practical advice for Councils seeking to make improvements.

In a recent episode of our Basket Case Clubs podcast, Michael and Steve Connelly addressed the importance of Council officers pushing the right projects and how volunteers in clubs should commit to good project planning. This approach can increase political benefits to elected representatives and make sure Councils deliver the best projects for their community.

CPR Group is proud to celebrate our involvement in the Mossman Showgrounds Master Plan for Douglas Shire Council that is now taking steps forward with a $1.7 million commitment to the upgrades of the Victor Crees Pavilion.

After the completion of the Coronation Park (Mossman Showgrounds) and the Port Douglas Sports Complex Master Plans, clubs have been empowered to improve their club’s facilities, and are working together to progress the whole site for the community.

CPR Group is proud to announce the success of their design and associated grant funding application made on behalf of Longreach Regional Council. The Longreach Childcare Centre, operated by Longreach Regional Council, will be provided $150,000 from the Australian Government to help fund an expansion of the childcare centre that will double the capacity of the facility.

Toombul District Cricket Club has had a lot of success on the field, but their grounds have had a more adverse history. With support from Queensland Cricket and Brisbane City Council, CPR Group has been engaged to develop a master plan and project implementation plan for the facility improvements.

It’s not surprising that we have seen a rise in multi-user, shared or multi-purpose facilities. Multi-use facilities provide a feasible solution when the availability of greenspace is limited, when clubs have smaller membership numbers or distinct playing times, or when resources are limited. However, we have found that there is an expectation from some clubs that the Council will provide each club with their very own exclusive clubhouse and activity space. The dissonance between expectations and feasibility can stifle development of new facilities.

Towers Jockey Club has scored $944,960 from the federal government’s Building Better Regions Fund.

When matched with Racing Queensland funding for track work, this grant will deliver a community event centre worth $1,259,960 to benefit the club, the racing industry, the community and the local economy.