Gold Coast Arena: First look at giant 12,000-seat arena to transform Southport

The site of the Gold Coast’s boutique stadium can be revealed, with fresh plans revealing for the first time how it will become “one of Australia’s entertainment capitals”. SEE THE PLANS

Southport will be home to the Gold Coast’s boutique stadium and events precinct if fresh plans showing off the stunning transformation are an indicator.

First drawings of the circular stadium reveal how it will aid the city’s bid to become “one of Australia’s entertainment capitals”.

An artist concept created for the Gold Coast City Council shows the giant cake-tin shaped “world class indoor sports and entertainment venue” to be built in the centre of Carey Park as the central plank of the push to revitalise the CBD.

The council hopes the venue will attract more sporting and entertainment acts which it says would deliver $1.5bn in economic output in its first decade, putting an extra $700m into the economy during the same period.

Artist impression of the proposed Gold Coast Arena boutique stadium at Carey Park, Southport. Picture: Supplied by Gold Coast City Council

“What do Sabrina Carpenter, Jerry Seinfeld and Disney on Ice all have in common? They perform in arenas and we’re proposing one for Southport,” the council announced alongside the images.

It is tipped the project would create 740 full-time jobs once operational and host up to 80 major events annually while “invigorating investment in the CBD and boost the visitor economy”.

Artist impression of the proposed Gold Coast Arena boutique stadium at Carey Park, Southport. Picture: Supplied by Gold Coast City Council

The plans reveal:

*A pedestrian bridge will be built across the Gold Coast Highway to the Southport Broadwater Parklands;

* Public parking will be retained on the northern tip of the site near Australia Fair shopping centre;

* A giant public plaza on the southern side of the park connecting the area to Queen Street.

Mayor Tom Tate said the arena would have “state-of-the-art facilities and technology” and “will help attract a greater variety of international and national music acts, major sporting events and family entertainment, bringing significant social, cultural and economic benefits to the city and broader region”.

“We know the city is missing out on opportunities for elite sport and international gigs by not having a venue like this,” he said, launching community consultation on the project.

Artist impression of the proposed Gold Coast Arena boutique stadium at Carey Park, Southport. Picture: Supplied by Gold Coast City Council

“And this site makes sense to me. It is located close to accommodation, public transport, food and beverage services and recreational activities which makes it a natural fit.

“But we want to know what (the public) think. Not just about the preferred sites, but about the types of events you would want to see there.”

Mr Tate said he hoped to begin construction on the 2026-27 financial year, with the arena expected to be delivered and operated by a private consortium.

The Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell me with the Mayor of the Gold Coast Tom Tate earlier this week. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The Mayor said he would “continue to work with the Queensland Government as the site owner to explore the most appropriate tenure to support an arena outcomes”.

It comes just days after Mr Tate met with new state Tourism Minister Andrew Powell – who made the Gold Coast his first stop in the role – to discuss supercharging the industry.

The focus of those discussions primarily focused on environmental tourism and progressing a cableway in the Gold Coast Hinterland.

The Mayor announced he would bring five key projects to the December 5 council meeting for endorsement so they can be fast-tracked – but wouldn’t reveal all five, only indicating the gondola and glamping at Tipplers were among them.

Community consultation on the project will run until December 9.