SENATOR THE HON ANTHONY CHISHOLM
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR EDUCATION
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE FISHERIES AND FORESTRY
SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND
THE HON MILTON DICK MP
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR OXLEY
THE HON SHAYNE NEUMANN MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BLAIR
LABOR TO DELIVER SPRINGFIELD CENTRAL YMCA UPGRADES
A re-elected Labor Government will support the completion of floor upgrades at Springfield Central’s YMCA facility with a $700,000 election commitment.
Federal Member for Oxley Milton Dick and Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann welcomed Assistant Minister for Regional Development Anthony Chisholm to the Springfield Central site today to make the announcement.
The $700,000 election commitment will enable the YMCA to complete the mezzanine level of their facility. In addition to increased access by community groups, the upgrade will allow the team at the YMCA to increase their offerings to include new programs in music production, digital arts and leadership development.
A completed mezzanine level will feature recording studios, meeting spaces, performance spaces, a kitchenette and other amenities, while facilities downstairs will also be upgraded to better serve the community.
The upgrade will also allow the YMCA to offer an Out-of-School-Hours Care (OSHC) service for nearby Springfield Central State School, which currently does not have an onsite OSHC.
Overall, the project would provide an additional 320 square metres of space and increase the centre’s weekly capacity to more than 3,000 people.
Ipswich City Council owns the YMCA Springfield Central Community Centre and Sports Hall, where more than 40 community groups, local schools, and 9,000 locals access programs and events every week.
Consistent with past practice, election commitments made during the 2025 Federal Election campaign will be delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Anthony Chisholm:
“Springfield Central’s YMCA has created a safe space for local multicultural groups for many years and these plans to finish the centre’s mezzanine level will allow them to continue their important work in this community.
“The commitment wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our terrific local MPs Shayne and Milton, who have a strong record of delivering for this community.
“This commitment shows that only a re-elected Labor government will ensure multicultural communities in Oxley and Blair get the support they need.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Oxley, Milton Dick:
“The Springfield Central YMCA is a really vital hub in this increasingly diverse community.
“A wide range of multicultural and faith groups access the centre, including the Springfield Punjabi Community Group, Springfield and Ipswich Malayali Associations, Greater Springfield Muslim Welfare Trust, and the Korean community Pilgram Church Group.
“I’m proud to support the YMCA in developing programs and activities to engage with multicultural communities, and to provide the support and connections they need.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann:
“We need more spaces for youth in the fast-growing Greater Springfield region to support and inspire our young people in a positive, safe environment.
“Current programs are bursting at the seams and there is a growing waitlist at the YMCA, so the completed project would create the extra capacity they need to deliver more activities and support services.
“A re-elected Labor Government is committed to investing in young people in the community, the future of our region.”
FRIDAY, 4 APRIL 2025
