Harold Phillips Park opens $1.4 million redevelopment
A $1.4 million redevelopment of Harold Phillips Park in Townsville is now complete, changing the game for the Garbutt Magpies Sporting and Cultural Association.
There has been a major refurbishment of the change rooms, upgraded accessible amenities and new LED sports lighting built on the playing field.
The upgrades have created modern, accessible facilities for players, officials, volunteers and spectators that will benefit the Garbutt community for many years to come.
The facilities will support cultural, educational and community activities and events, which in turn will help improve connections between families, schools, elders and local organisations.
The Garbutt Magpies have a proud 71-year history of delivering sport and cultural programs for the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian South Sea Islander communities in Townsville.
They hosted the Garbutt Magpies Cup in 2026 which featured 27 teams from 24 schools from Townsville, Palm Island, Ayr, Bowen and Magnetic Island.
The club also runs a food trailer to give meals to participants and a bus service to transport children between home, training and games.
The Queensland Government provided $1.2 million towards the cost of the upgrades, with funding also from AFL Queensland and support from Townsville City Council which reconfigured the playing field and developed a nearby skate park.
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