Browne Park redevelopment in Rockhampton to begin in 2023
Rockhampton could soon play host to NRL, rugby, A-league and entertainment events, as well as teams training for the 2032 Olympics, as a major stadium development steams ahead. SEE THE PLANS.
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Final plans for the redevelopment of Rockhampton’s premier rugby league facility, Browne Park, have been revealed as the Queensland Government doubles its funding for the major project which will eventually double its capacity to 10,000.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk flew into Rockhampton on Wednesday morning to announce the total cost of the project had been bumped up to $54 million from an initial $25 million.
Revised artist impressions for the project were also unveiled to reveal the overall masterplan for the site and how the new western grandstand would look once completed.
The government attributed its funding boost to ‘significant escalations in the building industry and supply chain issues, site challenges like water and sewerage upgrades, and the need to meet professional sport requirements to host games including NRL’.
Stage one of the project is expected to begin this year, and will involved building a contemporary three-level 3500-seat grandstand featuring a timber structured roof, four universally designed change rooms, new public amenities, new food and beverage outlets, media and coach facilities, corporate areas, a function room and broadcast facilities; and offices for the Central Queensland Capras and Queensland Rugby League.
Premier Palaszczuk described the project as a ‘game changer’ for Rockhampton and said it would bring big NRL games to the region and create a state-of-the-art home for sport in Central Queensland.
She also said the project had the potential to ‘put Rockhampton on the global map’ for international teams training for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Not only will this redevelopment create 170 jobs during construction, but it will generate a pipeline of ongoing opportunities for the entire region,” she said.
Early demolition works of the existing 750-seat Jack Crow Stand are due to begin mid-year and the main construction works to begin later in 2023, with an expected completion date ahead of the 2025 rugby league season.
Browne Park has been the home of football in Rockhampton for more than 100 years and currently has a capacity of about 5200.
Stage one will increase that capacity to 7000 and upon completion of all stages of the masterplan, including the future redevelopment of the Albert and George street sides of the field, the full ground capacity will double to 10,000.
Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said a region that has produced Queensland greats such as Cameron Munster, Matt Sing and Tamika Upton just to name a few, deserved a top-class regional facility that could host NRL games.
Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe echoed Minister Dick’s comments and said the upgrades made Central Qld even more attractive as a destination for major NRL, rugby and A-league events, as well as concerts and festivals.
“The Palaszczuk Government made Browne Park an election commitment because of its ability to supercharge Central Queensland’s economy,” he said.
“Every game, every event will add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the visitor economy and that’s great news for local accommodation and hospitality providers and tourism operators.”
The State Government initially committed $25 million to the redevelopment of Browne Park in September 2020 and works were meant to begin in 2022, with construction to be complete by 2024 – before it was pushed back.
Rockhampton MP Barry O’Rourke said it was a ‘genuine thrill’ for Rockhampton to receive the funding boost.
“As the home of rugby league in Central Queensland, which hosted an NRL semi-final in 2021 between Parramatta and Newcastle, Browne Park will get a new lease of life and I can’t wait for the dozers to start rolling in later this year,” he said.
Browne Park is expected to be out of action from, at least, the end of April – leaving both the men’s and women’s Capras teams without a home.
It is understood training for both teams will take place at Kettle Park.
Rob Crow from the Management at Browne Park said while the works were happening the Capras would be mainly play out of Rugby Park.
“The Capras will be playing mainly out of Rugby Park for the season in afternoon games rather than night games, and they’re quite prepared to do that,” he said.
“They’re so excited about coming here and making this their fortress...they will take some games possibly outside of Rockhampton as well for this season and next season.”
Locals will also be able to have their say on the full site master plan during Infrastructure Designation public consultation in coming months.
The procurement process for a head contractor will commence in the coming months.
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