Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the new $44 million Queensland State Netball Centre at Nathan in Brisbane will support netball players and teams at all levels from juniors right through to seniors and representative players.

“It is also a fantastic permanent home and training location for the Queensland Firebirds, a state-of-the art venue befitting the most successful elite team in Australian netball history,” the Premier said.

“I am sure the new Centre will help the Firebirds maintain the amazing success they’ve enjoyed.

The Queensland Government invested $34 million in the project, plus $7.3 million for a multi-storey park’n’ride facility.

More than 130 jobs were supported during the project’s construction.

The Federal Government provided $10 million and the Brisbane City Council agreed to transfer the land to Stadiums Queensland.

“Netball is right at the heart of Queensland sport and the Centre will support the development of our State’s emerging talents, so we can continue to produce some of the best netball players in the world,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“It will help provide a focus for girls and young women who are making their way in the sport and encourage them to chase their dreams, to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Gabi Simpson, Romelda Aiken, Gretel Tippett, Laura Geitz and the Sunshine Coast  Lightning’s Steph Wood.

“Even if they don’t reach their levels, players of all abilities and age groups will be able to use the fabulous facilities at the Centre.”

Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni said the new facility features eight indoor hard courts, changing facilities, a gym, sports science and sports medicine facilities, administration offices, food and beverage outlets and parking facilities.

“The Queensland State Netball Centre is appropriate recognition of a sport that is predominantly played by women and girls and run by women and girls,” Mr de Brenni said.

“It’s over two decades since the Firebirds played their first match and to finally give netball a spiritual home of its own, of equal quality to our football grounds, is a milestone in the journey of equality for women in Queensland.

“There’s an old saying: location, location, location. This venue is the latest step the Palaszczuk Government has taken to re-establish the entire precinct, in the heart of the electorate of Toohey, as a jewel in the Queensland elite sports crown.

“At just 10km from the Brisbane CBD, and easily accessible from the M1, the Gateway arterial and the Ipswich Motorway, there’s little doubt that whether in community sport or big event format the new venue has real potential to be the most-used and most-vibrant sports complex in the State.”

Member for Toohey Peter Russo said the local community would benefit from hosting the state’s netball headquarters.

“The centre is expected to create employment opportunities for approximately 50 to 100 staff,” Mr Russo said.

“That includes event ushers, coaches, facilitators and catering.”

The Premier said there was no doubt that Queenslanders love netball and the Government was proud of the state’s netball teams.

“Since January 2015, we have provided more than $12.65 million for netball to ensure it continues to grow and thrive across the state,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

This includes:

• more than $3 million through Get Playing Places and Spacesto improve netball facilities across Queensland

• more than $2.3 million in Get Started Vouchersto help with the cost of playing Netball

• more than $2.2 million in Get Playing Plus to help improve netball infrastructure

• more than $2.2 million through the Female Facilitiesprogram