• $4 million new sports courts for Onslow
• New courts to host 2016 Onslow Basketball Carnival
• Funded by State Government's Royalties for Regions program and BHP Billiton 

The people of Onslow will benefit from new $4 million sporting facilities, as the area becomes a major Western Australian gas hub.

Opening the new multipurpose sports courts today, State Development Minister Bill Marmion said they would provide modern facilities for the local sporting community.

"The courts can be used year-round for basketball, netball and other community activities and include digital scoreboards, spectator seating and lighting for night games," Mr Marmion said.

"BHP Billiton, through its commitments under the State Development Agreement for the Macedon domestic gas project, contributed $3.7 million towards the cost of this facility.

"Onslow has been transformed by the State Government, with these courts and a planned skate park in the pipeline building on the recently redeveloped airport and investments in the Onslow Health Service." 

Construction of the courts was planned and managed by the Shire of Ashburton, with a $300,000 contribution from the State Government's Royalties for Regions program, through the Pilbara Development Commission.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the former basketball courts were out-dated and unsuitable for year-round use.

"Completion of this project will bring a new level of recreation and entertainment options for the Onslow community," Mr Redman said.

"This is a great example of State and local government working together with industry to deliver social and economic outcomes for the region."

The new facilities will host this weekend's 2016 Onslow Basketball Carnival, which draws up to 30 teams from across the State each year. 

Fact File

• The Macedon project started operation in September 2013. The project is owned by BHP Billiton (71.4%) and Quadrant Energy (28.6%)
• The project is within the Government's Ashburton North Strategic Industrial Area and can produce up to 220 terajoules of natural gas per day
• BHP Billiton has also contributed $1 million towards the construction of a skate park for Onslow, expected to be completed later this year