EQ Statewide Facilities Update

In December 2019, Equestrian Queensland (EQ) released the EQ Statewide Facilities Plan 2019-2028.  The Statewide Facilities Plan was the culmination of 12 months work to clearly identify and prioritise equestrian facility requirements based on data, member feedback and consultation with government.  

As part of the Statewide Facilities Plan, Equestrian Queensland identified six key priority projects that were most required to secure the statewide facilities network. These projects were:

At this time, EQ is very cognisant that there is not a facility in Queensland that meets the preferred facility standards for delivering international and national level equestrian events.  With Brisbane and greater South East Queensland hosting the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, EQ is continuing to work with government and stakeholders to deliver an international standard facility as part of an Olympic legacy for the equestrian community.

We would like to acknowledge and thank all those in the equestrian community who are supporting the development of improved facilities across Queensland.  We would also like to especially acknowledge the commitment from our volunteers on the Dressage Queensland committee who have been advocating and fundraising to support the delivery of an artificial sand based equestrian surface at a Queensland equestrian venue that meets the requirements set by the FEI for international level competition.

EQ appreciates the frustration felt by many in our community about the lack of progress to deliver a suitable surface for international level competitions in Queensland to date. However, we are pleased to report that much planning work has been completed to support this goal in the short term and also addresses the deficit of infrastructure (surface, stables and camping) at equestrian venues in Queensland in the medium to longer term to support the delivery of national and international competitions across multiple disciplines in the coming years.

EQ is pleased to provide an update on some of the important facility planning works currently underway or planned for 2023:  

Toowoomba Showgrounds:

• EQ has partnered with the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland (Toowoomba Showgrounds) to improve the current equestrian facilities at the Showgrounds.  This work also includes a master plan and business case to develop an Equestrian Centre of Excellence at the showgrounds.
• Once developed, the Toowoomba Equestrian Centre of Excellence would offer the ability to host large scale equestrian events (>300 competitors) to a high standard with fit-for-discipline competition surfaces. These improvements would fill an identified gap in the Queensland equestrian facility market, in both the short and long term.
• EQ members and equestrian supporters are encouraged to express their interest in the project by completing a short survey HERE. 
• More information about the project at the Toowoomba Showground is available HERE. 

Pictured below: Toowoomba Showgrounds Draft Proposed Facility Capacity Plan

Queensland State Equestrian Centre (QSEC):

• Moreton Bay Regional Council and QSEC recently completed a tender process to replace the existing surface in the indoor arenas. 
• Equestrian Land Developments (ELD) was announced as the successful tenderer and works were recently completed to replace the indoor arenas with a new equestrian sand surface.
• This project has been completed in December 2022 which will support the delivery and growth of equestrian activities at QSEC in 2023.  
• EQ is continuing to engage with Moreton Bay Regional Council and QSEC about opportunities to deliver a sand based artificial equestrian surface somewhere on the site into the future that meets the requirements set by the FEI for international level competition.

Pictured above: The old QSEC surface being removed. Pictured below: New ELD spec equestrian sand surface installed at QSEC (photo credit QSEC facebook page) 

Townsville:

• EQ is currently leading a regional equestrian strategy process in collaboration with Townsville City Council to develop a multi-use equestrian facility.
• The project has assessed the suitability of 11 sites taking into account factors such as land parcel size and usability, access and suitability of location and some existing use considerations to identify the preferred site for further consideration.
• The next stage of the project will commence in early 2023 with local and regional community consultation with equestrians and supporters commencing in February 2023.

Gold Coast:

• Gold Coast City Council is currently completing a regional equestrian facility master planning project.
• EQ is very cognisant that equestrian activity of the Gold Coast, particularly the activities of Equestrian Gold Coast Club is significantly constrained due to the limitation of existing equestrian venues on the Gold Coast.
• EQ will be engaging further with the Gold Coast City Council in early 2023 to support the prioritisation of work that will allow clubs and event organisers to increase equestrian participation opportunities to meet both current and future demand.

Far North Queensland:

• In 2023, EQ will be further engaging with local government authorities in Far North QLD to support the work being completed of local affiliates to develop and improve existing facilities as well as continuing to advocate for improved facilities to meet current and future demand.

Redland:

• In 2023, EQ will be further engaging with local government authorities in the Redland area to support the work being completed of local affiliates to develop and improve existing facilities as well as continuing to advocate for improved facilities to meet current and future demand.

EQ acknowledges and thanks equestrian venue operators, including the team at QSEC, the Toowoomba Showgrounds and equestrian venue operators across Queensland for the continued support of equestrian activity.  We are really excited by the unprecedented amount of planning work occurring for equestrian venues across Queensland at present.   The completion of this important planning work will the support the delivery of physical works across multiple venues in the next 12-24 months to support the achievement of the goals set in the EQ Statewide Facilities Plan 2019-2028.

EQ will be publishing an update to the Statewide Facility Plan mid year in 2023 to reflect the work that has been completed and to clearly define our future goals in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.