A re-elected Palaszczuk Labor Government will contribute $4m in funding and make vacant land available for a new PCYC for Caboolture.

“I’m very pleased today to announce that a re-elected Palaszczuk Labor Government will stump up a $4 million contribution for a new Caboolture PCYC on land adjacent to the new Caboolture Police Station on King Street,” Mr Ryan said.

“Having a PCYC in the heart of Caboolture will be a tremendous benefit for our community.

“It will mean local young people can have better opportunities in life, get connected with their community, and go on to be positive contributors to our society.

“Building this new facility will also create good local construction jobs, which is a key part of the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s Economic Recovery Plan.

“It’s important to pay tribute to the many community champions of Caboolture who helped build and support the original PCYC. I’m pleased that that original building will continue to be a community asset. But as our community has grown, it’s now time for a new facility.”

The announcement builds on an existing commitment from Moreton Bay Regional Council of $2.5 million in funding.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor, Cr Peter Flannery, said that Council has been lobbying the state and federal governments for funding to upgrade the Caboolture PCYC since the last federal election

“Elections are a magical thing, we’ve been waiting for this commitment since the last federal election,” he said.

“The Member for Morayfield’s announcement today that a re-elected Palaszczuk Government will not only commit the land needed for this build but also provide $4 million in funding is precisely what we’ve been hoping to hear.

“I want to thank Mark Ryan for not only delivering for community safety, but also the people of Moreton Bay Region.

“The club’s popularity means the PCYC is bursting at the seams, so it’s in urgent need of upgrade, but this isn’t a done deal yet.

“Council’s $2.5 million contribution remains on the table, but we still need the Federal Government to get on board to ensure it becomes a reality.

“I know the Federal Member for Longman Terry Young has been petitioning his colleagues in Canberra to get onboard and I’m optimistic he’ll be successful.

“Tuesday’s federal budget provides billions of dollars for infrastructure investment, specifically to create jobs for young people in areas like Caboolture.

“The $5 million we need from the Federal Government is only a small ask, but the investment in terms of jobs and engaging our youth will be of enormous benefit to communities from Woodford to Bribie Island who are crying out for these kinds of facilities.

“I can’t understate the importance of this massive $11.5 million project to build a state-of-the-art facility big enough to service all communities across the north of Moreton Bay Region.

“The PCYC will be responsible for construction, enabling them to hire local contractors and directly create local jobs at a time they’re needed most.”

PCYC Queensland CEO Phil Schultz said it was a much-needed project for the youth of Caboolture.

“A new PCYC in Caboolture will mean we provide better support services for young people and better outcomes for Caboolture.”