Move Rockhampton High School
2024 should be a year of vision. A local government election next month and a state election in the latter half of the year would usually bring out the big vision statements. But as I listen to Brian Eno’s ‘Passengers Original Soundtracks 1,’ I am reminded that one’s vision might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it may even be another’s nightmare. (My wife is not a fan of the record).
2024 is also the year Beef Australia is being held in Rockhampton (show grounds). Arguably the southern hemispheres biggest beef industry exposition.
At the risk of giving some nightmares, I like to outline a vision that affects Rockhampton, Beef Australia, the Rockhampton High School and the CQ University.
Move Rockhampton High School to the current CQU Canning Street Campus (the former TAFE College) and use the high school land as part of a bigger show grounds/sporting complex, and include accommodation.
CQ University are moving their Canning Street Campus across the river to their Yaamba Road Campus. Therefore, I assume the Canning Street site will be vacant and possibly on the market.
Beef Australia could do with more space. It has already outgrown the Showgrounds complex. Rockhampton needs more accommodation alternatives, when major events are being hosted, clearly evident with Rocky Nat’s and Beef Australia.
Football and netball are at least two sports in Rockhampton that need significant funds spend to provide more modern, suitable facilities. And for a city that is advertised as the skin cancer capital of Australia, it has little under cover sporting facilities. Facilities that could possibly be also used for hosting conferences. Another resource, Rockhampton could do with more, especially able to hold 1500 or more people.
Add this to existing, and proposed, infrastructure in the Victoria Park precinct, that borders the showgrounds and high school, and I feel you have the makings of a powerful vision to sell to those who can make this happen.
(The concept could also be sold as a training facility for international teams in preparing for Queensland’s Olympic Games in 2032. Importantly giving the project a deadline to be completed by.)
The benefits being the economic impact the extra, and variety of, events Rockhampton could host, along with securing Beef Australia, long term.
Back in 2005, the Beef Australia board expressed concerns about Rockhampton being able to host the event. This year I believe around $20million will be spent by the board to host Beef Australia. A significant part of this being to bring in and erect the required infrastructure, then pull it down and take it away. Then, there is the lack of accommodation in the city. Council and its citizens cannot just assume Beef Australia will always be held in Rockhampton, because it started here. Investment must be made to improve facilities.
Visions, like the one I have outlined,(if judged to have merit), need to be discussed now. Next year is too late. Could someone possibly get the Rockhampton Council, Beef Australia, CQ University and state education department in a room, to get the ball rolling. Or, we happy to just plod along with what we have?