http://m.townsvillebulletin.com.au/...-field-of-dreams/story-fnjfzsax-1227646477637
THE State Government wants a stand-alone stadium built in the CBD at a cost of $250 million, with room to expand in the future, the long-awaited business case for the project has revealed.
The government’s preferred option was included in the business case sent to the Federal Government yesterday with a plea for funding.
In an overview of the business case, obtained exclusively to the Bulletin, the government reveals its preferred stadium would seat 25,000 people, with scope to expand capacity to 30,000 people.
The stand-alone option would be designed with the flexibility to integrate an entertainment centre in the future, the report said.
Costings show the stand-alone stadium, after capital expenditure, will cost $282.8 million to maintain over the next 30 years, compared with $201.4 million to maintain 1300SMILES Stadium.
However, the business plan has come in for criticism from city leaders for favouring the cheaper option without an entertainment precinct included.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Department of State Development had sent the North Queensland Stadium Proposal to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for urgent assessment.
“My government remains committed to this vital project and has budgeted $100 million to get it off the ground,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Now we need the Federal Government to play their part, to ensure we can deliver this important infrastructure to the North, and provide a much-needed boost to the local economy.
“My government will fight for North Queenslanders to get the stadium they need, want, and deserve.”
The proposed stadium includes fully-serviced concession and toilet amenities, hospitality options and a lower bowl on the northern stands which would allow for future expansion to 30,000 seats.
The business plan also includes a proposal for a $380 million stadium with a 5800 seat entertainment centre component and a 30-year maintenance bill of $785.3 million. But, the State Government is pushing a stand-alone stadium as the most favourable option.
Townsville Enterprise chief executive Patricia O’Callaghan said she was disappointed the preferred option did not include an integrated entertainment centre.
“From a community perspective we are very much interested in an integrated stadium and entertainment centre,” she said.
“It’s positive that the government is supportive of a stadium but this is the community’s opportunity to build and create two new facilities all in one precinct.
“There is a lot more information in that business case that we want to review and we look forward to having a formal briefing.”
Mayor Jenny Hill said she also wanted an entertainment centre and previous reports had flagged it as the most beneficial option.
“I understand the State Government’s position regarding the stadium but this community has always supported an integrated facility,” she said.
“As a community we will be making our own representations to Canberra for funding for an integrated facility.”
Herbert MP Ewen Jones said the business case would need to be carefully assessed before funding negotiations could start.
“Now the business case has been received by the Federal Government it can go through the proper process of being assessed by Infrastructure Australia,” he said.
Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke said it was promising that the stadium was a step closer to becoming a reality.
“I hope the Prime Minister urgently considers the business case and puts up the Federal money needed to get the project moving,” she said.
“North Queensland needs this stadium, which will create jobs during construction and beyond, and generate growth in our local economy.
