Sunshine Coast Stadium upgrade hit by major delay

The deputy opposition leader has called on the state government to explain what he claims is the “bungling” of a major Sunshine Coast stadium upgrade.

Infrastructure minister Grace Grace at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Friday, May 17, 2024.

The LNP deputy leader Jarrod Bleijie has slammed the Queensland government for leaving the community “in limbo” following news a major Olympic stadium upgrade had been delayed.

The failure to secure an appropriate tenderer for the Sunshine Coast Stadium redevelopment, before the state government entered caretaker mode earlier this week, was revealed to have delayed the project by 12 months.

Mr Bleijie, who has also been the state member for Kawana since 2009, said the state government must answer questions regarding potential cost blowouts or other issues with the project’s contract.

“The Sunshine Coast desperately needs infrastructure in place like the Sunshine Coast outdoor stadium upgrade,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Labor has failed residents by endless delays on the progress of this project, and failed again with no movement on the tender ahead of going into caretaker mode.

“Serious questions must now be asked about what this failed Labor government is hiding and why they’ve left our community in limbo.

“Are there cost blowouts or other issues they’ve deliberately kept hidden until after the election?”

Mr Bleijie said a review would take place regarding the state’s Olympic and Paralympic infrasture, if the LNP was elected later this month.

“We have previously announced an Independent Infrastructure Coordination Authority will be tasked with a 100 day review of Olympic and Paralympic infrastructure, which will consider Labor’s bungling of this project,” Mr Bleijie said.

Major blow for $148m Olympic stadium upgrade

A major stadium upgrade planned for the Sunshine Coast ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been delayed by at least a year, it has been revealed.

The $148m Sunshine Coast Stadium redevelopment was among several sporting venue projects that went out to tender in May this year however, negotiations to-date have failed to lock in an appropriate party to deliver the expansion.

It is understood the delay by the Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority in awarding a contract to complete the upgrade has pushed initial works back by 12 months.

Early works on the stadium site in Kawana are now expected to begin late next year.

The revised timeline for the redevelopment estimates construction on the site to be completed in 2028, if a contract is awarded by the Queensland government at the end of the caretaker period.

Aerial looking north from Bokarina, showing Sunshine Coast Stadium which will undergo an expansion leading up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Brisbane 2032.

Sunshine Coast Falcons CEO Chris Flannery said the delay was a welcomed decision from the club’s perspective.

“It makes things a lot easier for us that’s for sure being able to stay at home and play out another season in familiar surroundings,” he said.

“It’s unfortunately not great for the timeline of the redeveloped stadium plans but it’s great for us and it’ll definitely be a boost for our playing aspirations.”

A spokesman for the Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace said the contract will now be awarded after the state election.

“The tender process for the Sunshine Coast stadium upgrade is still being progressed and due to caretaker arrangements, the contract will now be approved and finalised after the State Election,” He said.

“Early stadium works will commence in 2025, with completion targeted for the 2028 winter sports season, well before the 2032 Games.

“In the meantime the stadium will continue to function as normal and impacts for user groups will be minimised as the tender process progresses.”

A Sunshine Coast Council spokeswoman said the delay meant another season of rugby league could now be held at the stadium as the council worked to deliver a “world-class” facility.

“While the delay is disappointing, it does mean the stadium can continue to operate as the premier venue for sport, leisure, and entertainment on the Sunshine Coast.”