The Australian rules club, which boasts more than 55,000 members, will become a “sports, lifestyle and entertainment precinct” in a plan which is described as “city-shaping”.

The new masterplan, which has been planned for more than five years, has been submitted to the Gold Coast City Council for approval.

The plan is described as a “significant city-shaping opportunity to guide the long-term redevelopment of the Southport Sharks Precinct into a premier sport, entertainment, residential and community destination”.

Sharks CEO Dean Bowtell said the complex would be split into four precincts – residential, club commercial, Hotel and sports and recreation.

“Southport Sharks is delivering a major redevelopment within the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct (GCHKP), creating an integrated community, sport, and housing hub,” he said.

“The project directly supports Queensland Government priorities in housing, precinct activation, sport, and the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games legacy.

“Fully master planned and aligned with GCHKP partners, Southport Sharks seeks a co-investment partnership with the Queensland Government to deliver this high-impact, shovel-ready project.”

While the application, if approved, would allow Sharks to build the stadium to a total capacity of 20,800 people, Mr Bowtell said there were no plans to do so currently, with the focus to be building space for around 9000 people.

An impact report on the project argues it will deliver “strong” economic, social and community dividends” for the Gold Coast.

“The cost-benefit ratio found that the investment in community and event facilities is economically viable, achieving a net present value of $44.6m, demonstrating strong value for a project of this nature,” it reads.

“Construction across all project components is expected to generate approximately 1100 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs and contribute more than $280m to (the Gold Coast’s) gross regional product (GRP), with ongoing operations supporting more than 480 FTEs and delivering an annual economic contribution of $54m.

“Additional tourism activity generated by major events could sustain a further 677 FTEs and $70m in GRP annually.”

The plans reveal the revamped precinct has drawn inspiration from Melbourne’s sports precinct, Adelaide Oval, the Milwaukee Bucks ‘deer district’ entertainment precinct, and Moonee Valley Racing Club’s redevelopment.

The project would sit next to the route of a proposed light rail spur line which would run north along Olsen Ave from the Gold Coast University Hospital to Harbour Town.

The link is one of several future transport recommendations put forward by the state government in the wake of light rail Stage 4’s scrapping.

It comes at a time when the Coast remains drastically behind its government-set housing targets.

Research by real estate firm Colliers released earlier this year shows 2464 dwellings were approved on the Gold Coast between July 1, 2024, and May this year, 62 per cent below the 6500 target set by the state government.

Plans for the project argue it would be a catalyst for meeting the housing challenges faced by the city in coming decades.

“The Gold Coast is entering a pivotal period of growth, facing the challenge of accommodating a rapidly expanding population while maintaining its distinctive lifestyle and identity,” they stated.

“While much of the current development along the coastal corridor remains focused on high-end luxury projects driven by escalating land values, there is an urgent need to unlock the potential of more affordable inland sites to deliver diverse and attainable housing options.

“The emergence of precincts providing additional housing supply is key to the sustainable growth of our city and Southport Sharks presents the opportunity to address this and become a key park of the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct.

“Southport Sharks’ position within Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct and strategic proximate locale to Southport CBD and Gold Coast Cultural Precinct reflects a transformative opportunity to be a reinvigorated destination for the city.”

INSIDE THE PROJECT:

The proposed redevelopment of Southport Sharks will dramatically transform the long-time sports club into a major community hub.

The project is expected to be delivered in stages and would significantly increase the density of the site.

Included in the plans:

• The existing main playing field will be transformed into a boutique stadium with room for 20,800 people.

• A trio of 20-storey residential towers with 540 units

• A four-storey, 4000 sqm sports science and recovery hub.

• A 1300sq m expansion of the existing clubhouse which will include improvement to facilities as well as the addition of coaching boxes and broadcast facilities.

• A “comprehensive” public realm with a new bridge, pedestrian connections to the neighbouring Health and Knowledge Precinct.

• Improvements to junior AFL and AFLW facilities.

The project is expected to be delivered in two stages, with the first to focus on the creation of the key infrastructure, including a revamped internal road network, with the second centred around the construction of the buildings.

The residential towers are earmarked for the current carpark, with a series of residential townhouses also expected to be built.

“The intent of the residential precinct is to accommodate a range of residential and short-term living options,” planning documents lodged with council read.

“This precinct supports the long-term densification and diversification of housing in the area, while also providing an opportunity to capitalise on proximity to the club, stadium, and surrounding employment and health precincts.”

There will be around 2500 car parks on-site as part of the masterplan.

The creation of the new stadium, which would reach a height of 30m or nine storeys, would be delivered in stages, with the first featuring 9200 seats, with the rest delivered in future works.

The Club’s plans say the massive expansion of the sporting facilities will be transformative for the region.

“The vision for this precinct is to facilitate the continued evolution of the site as a regionally significant sporting destination, capable of hosting large-scale events, training programs, and community participation in active recreation,” the plans read.

“The stadium component, in particular, represents a unique opportunity to build on the site’s existing legacy and position it as a central piece of Gold Coast’s broader sports infrastructure network (and the) long-term aspirations for the stadium include potential enhancements to seating, player facilities, and media/event infrastructure to support a broader calendar of professional and semi-professional events.

“In doing so, it reinforces the site’s contribution to the city’s identity as a hub for elite and grassroots sport.

“Importantly, the precinct is not envisaged as an isolated sporting facility, but as an integrated part of a connected sport and recreation campus that supports community wellbeing, inclusivity and activation.”

CITY LEADERS BACK MASTERPLAN

City leaders have welcomed the planned upgrade of the Southport Sharks to a major sporting and entertainment precinct, saying the timing is right before the 2032 Olympics.

City planning chair Mark Hammel called on residents to take part in planned consultation.

“This is a complex proposed master plan, and it’s important the City takes the appropriate time to properly assess it,” he said.

“The statutory process needs to run its course, the public will have the opportunity to provide input, and I look forward to seeing that feedback.”

Mr Hammel, who was involved in early consultation, said the area was a key strategic site in the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct and included the Southport Sharks’ freehold land along with an area leased from council.

He said there was potential for a multi-decade lease extension which could unlock benefits for both the Sharks and the wider community for years to come.

“What is being proposed is significant and has been several years in the making,” he said.

“My understanding is the joint goal of the Sharks and the City is to get the balance right — supporting the club to realise the site’s potential, while creating housing, jobs, and economic activity, upgrading sports facilities, and delivering broader benefits for our community.”

Mr Hammel said the precinct had the potential to be about more than AFL.

“It has the potential to host additional events, festivals, and cricket matches, while providing improved spaces and facilities for high performance and junior AFL, and other sporting and community groups,” he said.

“Proposed future upgrades also include residential towers with underground parking, offering accommodation for students and workers close to the university and hospital — a positive outcome at a time when housing for frontline workers, students and their families is so critical.

“In my opinion, this is a unique, interesting and forward-thinking proposal. To me, it shows how government and commercial clubs can potentially work together to make the most of strategically located sites on the Gold Coast.”

But Mr Hammel cautioned that it was “early days” and City assessors need to get into the details now.

Councillor Brooke Patterson, who was also part of consultation between the Sharks and council, said the development application was another example of the strength of Southport as a civic and community centre for the region.

“In the midst of a critical housing shortage, a well thought out master plan to accommodate 540 new homes is welcomed,” Ms Patterson said.

“It takes advantage of its position in walking distance of light rail, and servicing the accommodation of needs of the Health and Knowledge precinct employees.

“The timing is right leading up to the Olympics. I look forward to rigorous assessment by our planning officers.”