| Jobs, Tourism win from Bligh Government commitment to AFL Stadium |
Premier Anna Bligh has announced $60 million in funding towards a $130 million AFL stadium at Carrara on the Gold Coast in a major jobs and tourism boost for the region.
Ms Bligh said the project would deliver a massive boost for the local economy generating more than 350 jobs during construction and contributing $340 million over the next ten years.
“This will create a 175 metre by 128 metre AFL oval capable of being scaled to accommodate an international standard cricket oval, athletics field and soccer field on the Gold Coast,” she said.
“It will be a 23,000 seat facility with an additional 2,000 standing capacity.
“It will be suitable for use in the Commonwealth Games if our bid to attract them to the Gold Coast is successful, and it will be home to a new AFL team for the coast.”
Ms Bligh said the project was dependent on the AFL finalising joint funding arrangements with the Australian Government and the Gold Coast City Council.
“The economic situation means this hasn’t been an easy decision for me but this is a major construction project that is ready to go, creating 350 jobs when we need them most,” she said.
The Premier said the deal with the AFL means that when the project is complete the Queensland taxpayer will own a $130 million stadium after making a $60 million contribution.
“The State’s contribution will begin with a $2 million allocation next financial year and in return we expect the AFL to start construction within months,” she said.
In the 2010/ 11 financial year the State will contribute $7 million, with $51 million allocated for the third year to see the stadium completed in time for the 2012 season when the new Gold Coast AFL team will start playing.
“One of the things that made this project so attractive was the fact the AFL has agreed to start construction for a small contribution from the State in the first year,” said the Premier.
“Our major contribution will be made in the third year when the economic situation should be better.
“This is a great deal for taxpayers – it’s a significant investment, but its an investment for the state’s economy.
“Taxpayers are getting a return of greater than double what they put in and the estimated value to the Gold Coast economy from day trip and overnight visitors is estimated at $33.9 million every year and will support around 490 jobs over ten years.”
Ms Bligh said the funding for the stadium is dependent upon a number of conditions to which the AFL has agreed:
• The AFL must secure the balance of funding from the Australian Government and the Gold Coast City Council or cover any shortfall themselves.
• The AFL must secure agreement that the completed stadium will be transferred to State Government ownership
• There will be no ongoing charges, rates or fees charged to the State Government and the AFL will cover all operating costs of the stadium.
“If these conditions are fulfilled – and I have every reason to believe they will be - Gold Coasters will get a new Aussie Rules team to cheer and a new home to cheer them in,” Ms Bligh said.
The Premier said the bid team for the 17th AFL license (GC17) had done a lot of work to promote the advantages of the Gold Coast for a new AFL team.
“We are confident our commitment to fund the redevelopment of Cararra will get their bid over the line,” she said.
The Premier said the State’s $60 million contribution will come from a Queensland Treasury Corporation loan to Stadiums Queensland, met through the existing sport budget which is financed through gaming machine revenue.
These funds have previously been used to build Suncorp Stadium and Skilled Stadium and redevelop the Gabba.
“But this is the first time the sporting organisation involved has actually contributed to the construction,” said the Premier.
“That’s a good deal for Queenslanders and a good deal for the AFL.”
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