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Robina wins the NRL cliff-hanger
19Jul05
The Coast's new rugby league stadium will be built at Robina.
The Gold Coast City Council made its choice yesterday after weeks of angst and speculation.
Councillors took less than an hour to unanimously accept land owner Robina Land Corporation's final offer, which came in slightly under $17 million.
Mayor Ron Clarke said the 5ha site near the railway station, the favoured option from day one, was the 'best deal' for ratepayers and football fans.
Councillors chose the Robina site over a rival bid at Nerang because of its central location, position above flood level, and its proximity to Robina Town Centre and other economic hubs.
Queensland Treasurer Terry Mackenroth, who said the Government would build and run the stadium provided the council provided the land, said the choice was the most sensible one.
"It is also close to a commercial hub in the Robina Town Centre which will provide vitality to the precinct, much like what Caxton Street does for Suncorp Stadium," he said.
Robina Land Corporation (RLC) chief executive Richard Wyatt said he was delighted Robina had won the bid, although he was disappointed about the final price. He said the RLC could have gained a better outcome on the open market.
"The price is disappointing, but we are now looking at this in the context that it will bring the stadium to Robina, which is obviously a good thing for the area," he said.
"Price is a historical issue. Now we are going to concen-trate on what we can do in the precinct to make sure the stadium is a success."
A range of entertainment, hospitality, residential and office developments are mooted for vacant land near the stadium. "That's what we need to create around it to make it work," he said.
Although council involvement in the stadium ends with the land purchase, the hard work has just begun for the State Government.
Mr Mackenroth said the Major Sports Facility Authority (MSFA) would start work straight away to build the stadium by the 2008 season. "Planning will get under way immediately," he said.
The MSFA will now call for design proposals for its stadium.
"Our design brief to companies will stress the need for the stadium to reflect the identity of the Coast. Once MSFA decide on a preferred design, the construction phase will commence," he said.
"Upon completion, this stadium will be a fully functional, quality rugby league, rugby union and soccer venue."
He said a project cost would not be known until a competitive tender process was finalised.
It is understood the stadium cost will be about $100 million.
Although the stadium will sit on 5ha, the RLC deal includes 2ha for car parking.
The stadium was awarded to Robina despite a last-minute attempt by rival land owners at Nerang to undercut the bid. Japanese landowner Club Cavill slashed its asking price to $16 million from $24 million, in a bid to outdo the council-favoured Robina site.
Source; Gold Coast Bulletin - http://www.gcbulletin.com.au
19Jul05
The Coast's new rugby league stadium will be built at Robina.
The Gold Coast City Council made its choice yesterday after weeks of angst and speculation.
Councillors took less than an hour to unanimously accept land owner Robina Land Corporation's final offer, which came in slightly under $17 million.
Mayor Ron Clarke said the 5ha site near the railway station, the favoured option from day one, was the 'best deal' for ratepayers and football fans.
Councillors chose the Robina site over a rival bid at Nerang because of its central location, position above flood level, and its proximity to Robina Town Centre and other economic hubs.
Queensland Treasurer Terry Mackenroth, who said the Government would build and run the stadium provided the council provided the land, said the choice was the most sensible one.
"It is also close to a commercial hub in the Robina Town Centre which will provide vitality to the precinct, much like what Caxton Street does for Suncorp Stadium," he said.
Robina Land Corporation (RLC) chief executive Richard Wyatt said he was delighted Robina had won the bid, although he was disappointed about the final price. He said the RLC could have gained a better outcome on the open market.
"The price is disappointing, but we are now looking at this in the context that it will bring the stadium to Robina, which is obviously a good thing for the area," he said.
"Price is a historical issue. Now we are going to concen-trate on what we can do in the precinct to make sure the stadium is a success."
A range of entertainment, hospitality, residential and office developments are mooted for vacant land near the stadium. "That's what we need to create around it to make it work," he said.
Although council involvement in the stadium ends with the land purchase, the hard work has just begun for the State Government.
Mr Mackenroth said the Major Sports Facility Authority (MSFA) would start work straight away to build the stadium by the 2008 season. "Planning will get under way immediately," he said.
The MSFA will now call for design proposals for its stadium.
"Our design brief to companies will stress the need for the stadium to reflect the identity of the Coast. Once MSFA decide on a preferred design, the construction phase will commence," he said.
"Upon completion, this stadium will be a fully functional, quality rugby league, rugby union and soccer venue."
He said a project cost would not be known until a competitive tender process was finalised.
It is understood the stadium cost will be about $100 million.
Although the stadium will sit on 5ha, the RLC deal includes 2ha for car parking.
The stadium was awarded to Robina despite a last-minute attempt by rival land owners at Nerang to undercut the bid. Japanese landowner Club Cavill slashed its asking price to $16 million from $24 million, in a bid to outdo the council-favoured Robina site.
Source; Gold Coast Bulletin - http://www.gcbulletin.com.au