Riverway Stadium struggles to secure $15m while billions spent on 2032 Olympics

With billions being spent on the 2032 Olympics, Townsville’s still scratching around for $15 million to upgrade infrastructure at Riverway Stadium. Find out how our pollies have responded.

Townsville's Christian Payne, at Riverway Stadium, played in the KFC Queensland Premier Cricket Under 19 grand final. Picture: Evan Morgan

Townsville “can and should” be a sports training hub in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, but the fight for the right infrastructure to make that happen is still on.

Townsville City Councillor Suzy Batkovic revealed last week that a proper redevelopment of Riverway Stadium, including broadcast-level lights, commentary tower, screens, and a carpark, would cost between $13-15 million – with the price tag growing by the day.

Armed with the fresh dollar figure, this masthead approached all levels of government to test their appetite for the long-overdue infrastructure upgrade.

A Townsville City Council spokeswoman said Riverway Stadium already attracted high quality AFL and cricket matches, with an upgrade to an international standard stadium promising to unlock its full potential, including televised elite sport and more for our city.

“Council is continuously working with all levels of government to attract the funding required to upgrade Riverway Stadium’s lighting to allow for televised sports matches not just across Australia, but around the globe,” she said.

Insights were provided by Councillor Suzy Batkovic, FGH Group's Jamie Fitzpatrick, and Cowboys Football Club's Jeff Reibel at the Property Council of Australia’s The Power of Investment In Regional Areas luncheon. Picture: Leighton Smith.

“As a city that is heavily invested in sports and events, it’s essential to have the backing of all levels of government in upgrading this facility to ensure Townsville remains a key destination for national and international sporting teams well into the future to continue growing our reputation and economy.”

No formal funding proposal had been received by the state government to upgrade Riverway Stadium.

Thuringowa MP Natalie Marr said she was always open to engaging with the community regarding infrastructure projects that would bring social and economic benefit to our region, including any proposed upgrades to Riverway Stadium.

Thuringowa MP Natalie Marr. Pic: Scott Radford-Chisholm

“Under the Crisafulli Government, Townsville is set to benefit from the 2032 Games as host of the sailing and football events as well as Games On! ($250 million for grassroots sporting clubs) funding,” Ms Marr said.

“I look forward to continuing my productive discussions with council about how we can continue to build on our reputation as a sporting hub.”

The state government launched consultation for a 2025 sports strategy to lead Queensland into 2032 and beyond, where it will hear Townsville’s sporting priorities at an event on May 26.

A spokesman for Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said his government was committed to supporting regional sporting infrastructure projects.

MP Natalie Marr with Sports Minister Tim Nicholls during a recent visit to Townsville. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“Unlike the former Labor Government, we are making sure that Townsville will benefit from the games and will ensure there is a lasting sports legacy,” the spokesman said.

Leading into the last federal election, re-elected Herbert MP Phillip Thompson campaigned again to fund the stadium’s lighting upgrade.

Cricket North Queensland president Peter Busch and Federal member for Herbert Phillip Thompson are campaigning for lighting upgrades at Riverway Stadium. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“Our commitment for Riverway Stadium was to install broadcast-quality LED lighting, with the federal funding amount of $6 million agreed upon by Queensland Cricket, AFL and the Townsville City Council,” Mr Thompson said.

“Additional projects, such as a carpark upgrade, were never part of the broadcast lighting commitment.

“However, I would like to work with the Council and State Government to advance other aspects of the Riverway Stadium masterplan.

“I call on the Labor Prime Minister to honour this commitment as it would be game changing for our city.”

Federal Minster for Sport Anika Wells pledged $15m towards a High-Performance Training Centre for Cairns to help Labor’s candidate for Leichhardt Matt Smith get elected. Photo: Brian Cassey.

A spokeswoman for the federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said since being elected, her government had invested heavily in our regions via a range of funding programs to create jobs, build opportunity, and unlock economic growth and productivity.

“We’ve also launched the Growing Regions Program, which has provided millions in funding for hundreds of projects across Australia’s regional, rural and remote areas, to construct new or upgrade existing community infrastructure.

“Labor’s regional grants programs are competitive and merits-based, and all councils were able to apply.”

Townsville juniors are treated to an AFL training session with the legendary Kevin Sheedy at Riverway Stadium. Picture: Patrick Woods

Townsville’s Regional Sports Strategy Community Forum

• Venue: Gundalu Function Room, Level 2, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 2 Pride Close, Railway Estate

• Date: Monday, May 26

• Time: Doors: 5.45pm. Event: 6pm to 8pm

• RSVP: By 12pm, May 26.

• More information: www.sport.qld.gov.au/sportstrategy

Former Australian cricketer Aaron Finch walks out onto Riverway Stadium’s field during game three of the One Day International series between Australia and Zimbabwe in 2022. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Originally published as Riverway Stadium struggles to secure $15m while billions spent on 2032 Olympics