Super majority support to go to the market for Gold Coast indoor arena
Councillors have made a major call on the push for the Gold Coast to have an indoor stadium. Here’s what they decided.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The push for the Gold Coast to have an indoor stadium has been backed by a super majority of councillors.
Eleven councillors along with Mayor Tom Tate at a full council meeting on Tuesday backed a recommendation to explore potential sites and expression of interests.
City CEO Tim Baker will conduct the first stage of a market engagement process for an indoor entertainment arena.
Mr Baker is to provide an update, at the conclusion of the market search, on the responses and if any proposals are viable. A probity advisor will be appointed.
The only councillors who opposed the move were William Owen-Jones, Peter Young and Pauline Young.
Cr Peter Young voiced concerned about its viability given the commitments to other similar facilities in south-east Queensland.
Cr Owen-Jones at an earlier committee meeting cautioned about the use of ratepayer money in any private-public venture.
Pauline Young is understood to be concerned about a potential council site in her division opposite Pacific Fair requiring relocation of a library and community centre.
Hinterland-based councillor Glenn Tozer during debate in chambers admitted he was “excited” about the council embarking on a “market-led process”.
Cr Tozer said the asset would be wonderful for the city in the middle range of attracting 8000 to 12,000 fans to sporting and music events.
“I think it is going to be really good for our reputation nationally and internationally — both in live sport and entertainment,” Cr Tozer said.
An officer’s report which remains confidential has been silent on sites and allows for the market to determine the best location.
Outside the meeting, Mayor Tom Tate said the key was securing an multi-use stadium which could accommodate smaller live rock acts of 3000 fans and larger UFC events.
“Flexibility is key. I would love it once the arena is built that 40 weeks out of the 52 in the year something is happening,” he said.
Mr Tate said he had a view on the best location but declined to offer it.
“I don’t want to cloud people’s thinking. One thing I would say it has to be close to our existing transport facility,” he said.
Prior to the meeting, one of the country’s leading entertainment kings said it was a “no-brainer” to upgrade the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre rather than a build a more expensive new indoor stadium.
Harvey Lister, the ASM Global (Asia Pacific) executive chairman CEO behind the 17,000-seat Brisbane Live venue, says he plans to discuss arena options with Mayor Tate and the State Government in the next two weeks.
“We are firmly committed to providing world class entertainment and indoor sport outcomes in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane and the Gold Coast,” Mr Lister said.
“We congratulate the Gold Coast City Council and Mayor Tom Tate for supporting the concept of a major indoor arena for the Gold Coast.
“We are aware of the various sites that are being considered. However, for us, an expansion of the Gold Coast Convention Centre into the city’s ‘global event hub’’ is an absolute no-brainer.”
At an earlier committee meeting councillors were divided, voting 4-2 for the arena plan. Potential sites were discussed during the talks in closed session.
EARLIER:
An indoor stadium for the Gold Coast is to be fast tracked after a majority of councillors backed a plan to go to the market to secure a deal.
Councillors voted 4-2 in favour of seeking private interest in an indoor arena after a marathon debate in a closed session on Tuesday at an economy, tourism and events committee meeting where sites were discussed.
Full council will vote next week. But the recommendations and debate revealed:
* The City will look for expressions of interest and receive an updated report.
* The process won’t stop expansion of the Gold Coast Exhibition and Convention Centre.
* Despite three major event operators in Australia, officers would explore overseas interest.
Those councillors backing the recommendations were Deputy Mayor Donna Gates, Glenn Tozer, Daphne McDonald and committee chair Bob La Castra.
Southport councillor Brooke Patterson and Miami-based Councillor Pauline Young did not support the recommendations.
Cr Patterson said she could see value in securing an indoor stadium but added that “I do have reservations about the process”.
Cr Owen-Jones who is not on the committee and cannot vote, supported further investigations but admitted to being “cautious in the space about commitment of City of Gold Coast funds”.
Cr Gates was strongly supportive of an indoor stadium slightly smaller than the existing outdoor arenas at Robina and Carrara.
“It’s an exciting opportunity. There is interest from the private sector in perhaps building an arena on the Gold Coast,” she said.
“Interest in our city is great. It just adds to our capacity to host events.”
Outside the meeting, Mayor Tom Tate said the city as it approached having one million residents was in desperate need of an indoor arena.
“The Gold Coast is an events city,” he said.
“People want to come here for major events and the promoters want to bring the content but opportunities are being lost to the detriment of our residents and the economy.
“I have seen numerous sites mentioned. It is important we identify the right location and there are several that come to mind so I welcome the opportunity to progress this important issue.”
Committee chair Bob La Castra remarking on a meeting which stretched for several hours in closed session predicted “more debate at full council”.
“There are a lot of things that need to be factored in,” he said. No sites were mentioned in a brief open session for the vote.
Councillors had been earlier made aware of plan for an indoor stadium which could accommodate between 8000 and 14,000 people.
“It would be a mid-size arena, less than the size of Cbus Stadium but bigger than the Convention and Exhibition Centre at Broadbeach,” a council source said.
“You would be looking at staging E-sports, combat sports and live music there. And it could accommodate smaller rectangular sport like netball or possibly basketball.”
It’s estimated that between 1.5 to 2 hectares will be needed to build the indoor stadium with a price tag ranging from $250 million to $350 million and at its peak $750 million.
EARLIER:
City Hall will go to the market in a deal to secure an indoor stadium for the Gold Coast, under a recommendation from council officers.
Councillors will consider an officer’s report on Tuesday at an economy, tourism and events committee meeting – but the debate will be held in closed session.
The report will be confidential and the meeting behind closed doors because negotiations relate “to a commercial matter” involving Gold Coast City Council.
But officers in a preview to the meeting wrote: “The City has had strong interest from the market to establish an indoor entertainment arena (Arena) on the Gold Coast.
“An Arena would generate significant additional visitation and spend in our local economy, as well as providing a new level of entertainment for Gold Coasters.
“Studies conducted by both state government and the City have confirmed that there is a market gap and demand for an indoor entertainment arena on the Gold Coast.”
The officer’s report will outline the preferred market engagement option, should councillors as expected give the plan the tick.
A council source said the report was sparked because council had been approached by commercial interests voicing support for “either building or occupying a stadium”.
Mayor Tom Tate is known to be a big supporter. The mayoral office has had talks with event organisers seeking suitably sized venues but the existing ones in the city fall short on capacity.
“Council does not want to operate a stadium. We would want to make a contribution to the building of it,” the source said.
The options include the council either providing a lease for ratepayer-owned land or with the state government giving some funding.
Councillors are aware of plan for an indoor stadium which could accommodate between 8000 and 14,000 people.
“It would be a mid-size arena, less than the size of Cbus Stadium but bigger than the Convention and Exhibition Centre at Broadbeach,” the source said.
“You would be looking at staging E-sports, combat sports and live music there. And it could accommodate smaller rectangular sport like netball or possibly basketball.”
It’s estimated that between 1.5 to 2 hectares will be needed to build the indoor stadium with a price tag ranging from $250 million to $350 million and at its peak $750 million.
The Southport Sharks has previously produced a masterplan for its Olsen Ave base to be transformed into a giant sports and entertainment precinct.
Other council-owned sites being mentioned include the Miami council depot close to Pizzey Park which is to undergo a $20m makeover.
The Bruce Bishop car park, which continues to attract private investors, has been mentioned along with the two old car parks – Athol Paterson in Lawson Street or Mal Burke opposite the courts in the Southport CBD.
All these options meet a critical requirement – they are within a short walk to light rail.
Another option is the Broadbeach Convention and Exhibition Centre can be upgraded.
Rise, fall … and collapse? The making of a Star disaster
What does the future hold for Star Entertainment Group? That’s been the billion dollar question after a decade of ups and downs. SPECIAL REPORT
Records broken, Aussies take it home: AACTA Festival wrapped
The AACTA Festival for 2025 has come to an end but not before Queensland productions won big. Find out more.