Sunshine Coast Council approves stadium expansion plans

Major sporting events on the Sunshine Coast could accommodate thousands of extra spectators under plans for an initial $68 million expansion of the council's Kawana stadium.

The council released concept drawings of the first stage on Friday, which would boost the overall capacity to 16,618 with a new eastern grandstand and expansion of the existing western side.

Sunshine Coast Council's vision for the first stage of its Kawana stadium expansion plans.

The council has agreed to commit $17 million towards the project, subject to securing matched funding from other stakeholders including the state and federal governments, after first floating the idea in 2016.

“If all funding can be secured, works on the expansion will start in October 2021 with construction expected to take 15 months," mayor Mark Jamieson said.

He added that the 10,573 new seats would come at a cost of about $6400 each and "compare favourably" with other recent and upcoming developments in Australia and abroad with per-seat costs exceeding $10,000.

The new eastern stand would seat 8085 people, with 3533 in the expanded western stand and mounds at the south and north end accommodating a further 5000.

Initial upgrades to the existing grandstand, along with a new eastern stand, could boost capacity to 16,618 by 2023.Credit: Sunshine Coast Council

In addition to extra seating, public and player amenities would be upgraded to include warm-up and recovery areas, multi-purpose community spaces, two new change rooms, media and corporate facilities.

The expansion project is hoped to improve the stadium's experience for fans and its ability to "meet the requirements" of sporting codes like the NRL and A-League. Live music is also slated for the site.

Further development of north and south grandstands could follow under the council's "final desired state" for the stadium, pushing capacity out to 23,400.

Architects have been engaged by the council to develop the vision, though costing for any further stages has not been finalised.

Cr Jamieson said while the coast was evolving as one of the country's leading city regions, a stadium with the capacity to support growing demand for national sporting and entertainment events was a "missing piece" in the infrastructure puzzle.

“Council wants to ensure our region realises its full potential as a major events destination and to meet our vision for the Sunshine Coast to be Australia’s most sustainable region – healthy, smart, creative,” Cr Jamieson said.

With support from Tourism Events Queensland, the council holds a contract with the South Sydney Rabbitohs to host one regular game across the 2019, 2020 and 2021 NRL seasons. One Cronulla Sharks fixture will also be played at the site in both 2020 and 2021.

A Women's NRL State of Origin game will head to the stadium next year, along with two Elton John concerts.

The plans come amid continuing speculation around the potential for a new Brisbane-based NRL team.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg commended the council on its plans, saying the code looked forward to working with the council to bring its "exciting vision" to life.

“We are always supportive of investment in rugby league venues, especially where they will deliver an enhanced experience for our fans and better facilities for our athletes," he said.

Rabbitohs boss Blake Solly echoed the support.

“In particular, increased seating and corporate areas will allow council or the event holder to increase the commercial returns on any event,” Mr Solly said. “This will ensure that the Sunshine Coast remains competitive in any bidding or tender process for the allocation of NRL matches.”