Appendix 4Site visit to the Great Barrier Reef Arena at Harrup Park Country Club, Mackay, Queensland

1.1Prior to the Mackay public hearing on 23 November 2023, the committee conducted a site visit at the Great Barrier Reef Arena (GBRA), located at the Harrup Park Country Club (Harrup Park). Senator the Hon. Matthew Canavan (Chair), Senator the Hon. Bridget McKenzie, Senator Penny Allman-Payne and Senator Malcolm Roberts participated in the site visit.

1.2The Federal Member for the local electorate of Dawson, Mr Andrew Willcox MP, was invited to attend, along with several local media representatives.

1.3The committee were welcomed by Mr Adrian Young, Chief Executive Officer of GBRA and Ms Carissa Mansfield, Vice President of the Harrup Park, who provided the committee with an overview of sporting and community events hosted at the venue previously.Mr Young and Ms Mansfield explained that GBRA launched in early 2023 following project inception in 2017, with Stage 2 upgrades currently in planning. The committee completed a tour of the venue facilities including:

the 'home' team and 'away' team change rooms;

the players dining room 'the 'Reef Room';

broadcast and press conference break out rooms; and

the main international competition standard turf oval and grandstand.

1.4On behalf of the committee, Senator Canavan thanked Mr Young, Ms Mansfield and the Harrup Park employees for kindly hosting the committee's visit.