Labor will commit $2 million for Souths to work with the Brisbane City Council to plan for the future of the site, making sure it retains pride of place as a community asset benefiting the West End community.

Davies Park has been the home of Souths and rugby league in the area for more than a century. Many rugby league luminaries kicked off their playing or coaching career there, including Gary Belcher, Mal Meninga, and Wayne Bennett.

Now, the Magpies have an eye to the future and the importance of long-term sustainability of this significant community asset. They want to see it opened up to greater community use.

This year’s floods once again revealed the importance of community facilities and public space on the Kurilpa peninsula.

Ensuring the future of the site will help to make sure that it is available for community use in good and bad times, for generations to come.

Plans for the space include:

• moving the club house to higher ground and ensuring it is a community space which can be used regularly as well as during disasters;
• considering the future of contact sport and other sport at the site;
• considering the option of removing fencing, to increase the accessibility of the park, including for markets and other events.

While Davies Park is already a well-known spot for West End locals, Labor will help make it more accessible and support its long-term sustainability.

Davies Park is close to the heart of so many West Enders. We must ensure the long-term sustainability of this important community asset, and help to create a modern, accessible space for everyone to enjoy.

I’m proud to have worked closely with the Souths Logan Magpies to progress these plans and secure investment from an Albanese Labor Government to kickstart this important work.

SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2022