Labor comes to stadium party with $15m for design work
PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has promised $15 million to fund planning and design work for Townsville's new superstadium and convention centre.
The $15 million will cover the cost of detailed design work for the superstadium and convention centre before construction starts on the $300 million Stadium Northern Australia project.
Funding will be delivered in the 2014-15 financial year if Labor is re-elected on Saturday, but the Coalition has yet to put up any money for the superstadium. The project has been estimated to create 700 full-time jobs during construction and would boost the economy by $540 million.
Mr Rudd said the $15 million in funding for design work would help fast-track the project.
"A re-elected Rudd Labor Government will kick-start the Stadium Northern Australia project by committing up to $15 million to get critical design and planning work under way," he said.
"Delivering this funding is an important and practical first step.
"It will provide confidence for Townsville to continue developing the stadium and entertainment complex following the completion of the current feasibility study."
Mr Rudd said the superstadium and entertainment complex would be the best facility in northern Australia and create jobs.
"Labor is proud to get behind this important project to build an integrated elite sports stadium, entertainment and events facility in Townsville's central business district," he said.
"The stadium's location in Townsville would allow it to serve the wider Northern Queensland region, generating significant economic and social benefits including new jobs in both the development and operation of the project.
"This builds on Federal Labor's extensive investments in Townsville on projects like the Ring Road, upgrading the Tony Ireland stadium and redeveloping the Flinders Street Mall."
Labor's funding announcement is the first commitment to the superstadium and convention centre project from either side of politics during the election campaign.
Labor candidate for Herbert Cathy O'Toole said she was "very, very happy and welcoming" of the announcement and said it maintained the Federal Labor Government's "track record of infrastructure investment in Townsville".
"This is a really important step because this is a kick-start to the project and the project will happen if we are elected," she said.
"This is great news for our community."
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has yet to make a commitment on the superstadium but said during a visit to Townsville on Saturday he would review the project if the Coalition wins the election.
"Should we win the election, obviously we are happy to keep talking ... but I can't at this stage make a formal commitment to it."
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2013/09/02/388318_news.html