$23 million funding secures new Rockhampton Stadium
A new 8,500-seat sports stadium will be built in Rockhampton, following the announcement of federal government funding on Monday.
While the existing Browne Park was expected by many to be the site of a new stadium, it’ll instead be built 1km away at Victoria Park, adjacent to the Rocky Sports Club.
Capricornia MP Michelle Landry has committed $23 million in federal funding for the project, securing the project regardless of November’s election result.
Rocky Stadium will have a permanent seating capacity of 8,500, while the provision of temporary seating will boost the capacity up to 16,000 for larger events.
The funding was secured by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson with the announcement made at the Rocky Sports Club on Monday that will green-light the long-awaited stadium for the Central Queensland region.
Senator Hanson said, “This has taken almost two years to get the funding across the line, but following a dinner with the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Mathias Cormann last September, the project has been on their radar and I haven’t let up.”
The new stadium will stimulate the local economy, expected to attract major events to the region, while the project will result in more jobs, with local builders to be used for the build.
The stadium design is based off Redcliffe’s Dolphin Stadium, with the same builder engaged for the project, and ensures all fans are close to the action with uninterrupted views from every seat.
The main undercover grandstand features a light-filled concourse at the rear able to accommodate functions for up to 650 guests, while the existing sports club will be located at one end of the field.
Browne Park has long been the home of Rugby League in Rockhampton, and while there has been plans to redevelopment it into a 10,000-seat stadium, some had raised concerns about its location, being in a residential area.
The Victoria Park site is larger, a 12-minute walk from the Rockhampton CBD, has 715 car parks nearby and 15 hotels and accommodation complexes nearby.
Speaking at Monday’s announcement, Rocky Sports Club’s Gavin Shuker said next steps for the project are getting the various approvals in place and that the build would take 10-12 months to complete once underway.
