Sports groups to formally reject sharing $137m RNA upgrade costs

The main cricket and AFL bodies will this week reject the Queensland government’s highly publicised request they collectively contribute $91 million towards the $137 million upgrade of the RNA main arena.

This comes as Brisbane’s lord mayor on Sunday resigned from a Queensland Government Games 2032 planning body, arguing it was now “political” and “dysfunctional” and “more about overpriced stadiums than the promise of vital transport solutions”.

The new RNA showgrounds will feature a new rail station, but all major sports are set to say ‘no’ to the state government’s request to split $91 million between them, Brisbane City Council and the RNACredit: Cross River Rail Delivery Authority

A “dual sports position” from cricket and the AFL rejecting the government’s request for almost $50 million could be made public as soon as Monday, but more likely Tuesday, this masthead has been told.

This means a new funding model will be required from the Queensland government before Christmas, to allow the two-year construction to be completed before the Gabba is demolished in 2025.

The idea was put forward as a proposal to find a temporary Brisbane home for cricket and AFL while the Gabba undergoes a $2.7 billion transformation to be ready for the 2032 Games, and then as a catalyst for urban growth.

The Queensland government on Friday demanded Queensland Cricket, the Brisbane Lions (or the AFL), Brisbane City Council and the Royal National Association cover the remaining $91 million.

On an even-par breakdown, each of the four parties would contribute over $22.5 million; however, the RNA’s chief executive on Friday afternoon committed $15 million, putting pressure on the other parties.

Queensland Cricket still supports the redevelopment of Allan Border Field, where it can earn money while the Gabba is unavailable for four years.

Queensland’s Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said further meetings were planned this week to debate the temporary RNA showgrounds funding issue.Credit: Matt Dennien

Speaking to the ABC, Brisbane Lions immediate past president Bob Sharpless was also critical of the way the funding announcement was made and doubted the club was in a financial position to contribute directly to expand the RNA auditorium.

This masthead has been told both sports were expecting to be compensated for revenue they would lose from not being able to use the Gabba for four years and are not happy about being asked to contribute to a replacement temporary stadium.

Cricket Australia and the Brisbane Lions have held numerous meetings since Friday’s proposal and have decided to reject the proposed funding split.

Sports Minister Stirling Hinchliffe on Sunday made it clear the state government has “no contractual need” to provide for sports displaced during Games works.

“We are making these offers in order to deliver the best outcome for sport, industry and the ongoing viability of those key users of a redeveloped 21st century Gabba. That’s what we are doing it for,” he said.

This masthead has been told the two major sports are loath to enter into low-interest-rate loans from the Queensland government, when they have their own facilities they wish to upgrade.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner was critical of the funding model announced by the state government, after a phone hook-up he was unable to attend.

On Sunday, he stood down from the Queensland-government-appointed Games 2032 Interdepartmental Leaders Forum, describing it as “dysfunctional” example of where the Queensland government “had lost its way on the road to the Games”.

“Ever since the Premier and I travelled to Tokyo together to secure the 2032 Games, I have been a committed team player, despite numerous setbacks and political differences,” Schrinner said.

“However, it’s clear that the Games have become more about over-priced stadiums rather than the promise of vital transport solutions.

“The state government’s ham-fisted and foolish attempt to extort Brisbane ratepayers for tens of millions of dollars for a new RNA stadium was the final straw.”

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