Mayor Greg Williamson proposes Great Barrier Reef Arena as solution to RNA Showgrounds investment

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson has blasted the state government’s decision-making following the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s decision quit the 2032 Olympic Games delivery forum.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson has blasted the state government’s decision-making following the Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner’s decision quit the 2032 Olympic Games delivery forum.

It comes after the state government committed $45.7 million to what would be an estimated $137 million project to transform the RNA Showgrounds into a stadium suitable of hosting displaced AFL and cricket while the Gabba is being rebuilt.

Now Mr Williamson has joined a growing chorus of voices, including Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate, in proposing cheaper and more enduring solutions to the government’s headache.

“I absolutely concur with Tom Tate that spending $100+ million on the showgrounds is an absolute waste of money, and we could be doing that in the regions,” Mr Williamson said.

He offered up Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena as a ready-made solution, describing it as the “best regional cricket ground in Australia”.

Mr Williamson also cited how the Arena’s stage 2 expansion plans were a “very competitive” arrangement that had already been costed, and that regardless of the proposed expansion the Arena was ready to host elite sport “right now”.

This is evidenced by the AFLW, WBBL, Australia A, Sheffield Shield, and One Day Cup games played at GBRA in the past few months alone.

The Queensland huddle during the Sheffield Shield match between Queensland and Victoria at Great Barrier Reef Arena, on October 16, 2023, in Mackay, Australia. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images

“I think it’s just typical southeast Queensland focus again,” Mr Williamson continued.

“If they’re closing the Gabba to spend whatever billions it is, and then they want to spend another $100 million on the showgrounds, it’s just a ridiculous southeast focus that the regions are getting sick of.

“If you pick five grounds in regional Queensland and spend $20 million on them you will get a much better outcome for sport in Queensland then $100 million on the showgrounds.”

Mayor Greg Williamson. Picture: Michaela Harlow

If Mackay were to be used as a part-time makeshift home ground for Brisbane’s cricket and AFL sides in the wake of the redevelopment, the rewards for the tens of thousands of passionate supporters rarely afforded opportunities to witness their heroes live are clear, but Mr Williamson also spoke of the hidden benefit such a move could provide for the regions.

“When young sports people can see their superstars playing on a field in front of them, it just delivers a pathway program that you can’t buy,” Mr Williamson said.

He continued that it should be a “no-brainer” to build a legacy for regional Queensland, and that legacy better opportunities for young people to get into sport and to progress to elite levels.

“I would rather see those pathways developed for regional Queensland, than any more money going into Brisbane-based sporting fields,” Mr Williamson said.

A senate inquiry into Olympic preparedness was hosted in Mackay in the past month, where it was revealed the Olympic Games delivery forum hadn’t even spoken to regional councils.