Herbert MP ramps up pledge for stadium lighting upgrade

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson has rolled out the big guns in his re-election campaign, upping a previous pledge by a million dollars and bringing in cricket royalty to back the push.

(front) Renee Dietz, Meike Dietz, Mackenzie Smith, Sadie Dietz, Chelsie Stanley, (back) Callum Turner, Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson, Alfie Kirchner, former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson and Jaecob Prien at Riverway Stadium. Picture: Evan Morgan

A nearly decade long fight to put Townsville on the map for top-level AFL and cricket matches has been revived, with incumbent Herbert MP Phillip Thompson once again committing to fund upgrades to the Riverway Stadium if the Coalition is elected.

Riverway’s lighting system, which is well below the standard necessary for games to be played and broadcast to a national audience, has been an issue since 2018, when the Townsville Bulletin began a push alongside local sporting organisations for upgrades.

At the last federal election in 2022, Mr Thompson committed to providing $5m in funding for the works in an unsuccessful bid to remain in government.

Now, alongside Townsville-born cricket icon Mitchell Johnson, he’s reignited the push - adding a further million dollars to the tally.

Mr Thompson said he wanted to see Townsville as the destination spot for all sporting codes, and not have games outside of Rugby League only feature in Mackay and Cairns.

Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson with Thuringowa Bulldogs junior Alfie Kirchner and former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson at Riverway Stadium. Picture: Evan Morgan

“We get that with the NRL and we’ve had that with Rugby Union, but we are a much greater sporting city than just two codes,” Mr Thompson said.

AFL games haven’t visited Townsville since before the Covid-19 pandemic and the exact sum necessary for the upgrades to bring them back has been disputed in the past - although a Cricket Queensland estimation in 2022 put the figure at $6m.

Townsville City Council owns and operates Riverway Stadium, in 2022 then Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill disputed the figures, saying there was a ‘$3m shortfall’ in the pledge.

Mr Thompson said the increase in the funding pledged reflected the increasing costs associated with construction over the last three years.

“Things cost more over periods of time and the coalition recognises that we need to keep up with that investment - there’ll be other commitments through Cricket Queensland and the AFL, but the most important thing that I see with this announcement is that I want young kids playing AFL or cricket to be able to look up and see the heroes that they see on the TV.”

In principle agreements with the AFL and AFLW already exist to return to Townsville if suitable grounds can be provided, he said.

Josh Hazelwood of Australia celebrates after taking the wicket of Wessly Madhevere of Zimbabwe during game three of the One Day International series between Australia and Zimbabwe at Riverway Stadium on September 03, 2022 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The funding, however, is still dependent on the Coalition forming government, something that the most recent polls have suggested will once again be out of reach.

“The only poll that is important is the one on election day - polls can change overnight,” Mr Thompson said.

“But I’ve been able to work in opposition and get funding for AEIOU - that was done from opposition. We’re focused on winning - and I’m focused on getting this supported and I’ll work with a coalition government or any other government that could be in place after May 3.

“But right now I’m trying to secure this project, secure a coalition victory and get these lights up in the sky.”

Cricketing legend Mitchell Johnson, himself a Townsville product, still has fond memories of Riverway Stadium - and wants to see it thrive.

“It’s awesome actually coming back and seeing it again - I remember when it was first built and the excitement around that,” Johnson said.

“I think it should have world-class facilities - having these upgrades would be very exciting for Townsville - it would be amazing for the town.”
While Thuringowa Bulldogs junior Alfie Kirchner was focused on what it would mean for him and his clubmates.

“It’s been years since I’ve got to see an AFL team play, it’d be pretty good to have them back up here and not have to travel down south just to see them,” Alfie said.

“That’d help us out a lot.”

Originally published as Herbert MP ramps up pledge for stadium lighting upgrade