Minister for Women and Employment, Michaelia Cash, joined Australian Diamonds and Queensland Firebirds’ captain Laura Geitz to announce plans to build a new state-of-the-art centre at the Western Districts Netball Association in Graceville.

The Turnbull Government’s election commitment will complete the delivery the facility by funding a new show court and integrated elite training facility, as well as air-conditioning to help athletes handle the state’s notorious heat.

Once completed it is expected the centre will feature eight indoor hard courts, player changing facilities and administration offices for Netball Queensland.

The funding will be unlocked if the Coalition, led by Malcolm Turnbull, is returned to power at the election on July 2. 

“The Turnbull Coalition Government has listened to the local community and I am pleased to deliver this worthwhile project,” the Liberal National Party candidate for Moreton, Nic Mansour, said.

“There is a massive demand for more sporting facilities in our community and this commitment means greater opportunities for local girls and women to participate in sport closer to home.”

Netball Australia and Netball Queensland both welcomed the commitment which, they claimed, will help further enable the support and empowerment of women through the game of netball.

“We are pleased the Turnbull Government has pledged these resources to ensure netball has a full, turn-key home in Queensland,” Anne-Marie Corboy, the chair of Netball Australia, said.

“This facility will be dedicated to servicing the needs of netball from a community level, right through Queensland’s player pathways to the elite game.”

With 54,000 members in Queensland and 1.2 million participants in Australia, netball continues to be the country's number one sport for women and girls.