The decade-long reason Townsville continues to miss out on events

Townsville appears set to miss out on international cricket once again in 2025 when the Aussies take on South Africa. Find out what needs to change for Townsville to host more world class events.

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

Townsville appears set to miss out on international cricket once again in 2025 with Cairns, Mackay and Darwin in line to host two matches each when the Aussies take on South Africa in August.

To make matters worse, the ‘events capital of northern Australia’ will continue to miss out on world class fixtures like these until Riverway Stadium receives the lighting upgrades that have been demanded by locals for more than a decade.

While the ground is widely regarded as one of the best surfaces in Australia, a lack of broadcast quality lighting means it’s not suitable for evening matches such as Big Bash cricket and AFL or AFLW.

The issue has become a political football that no one wants to mark, let alone run with and kick the much-needed goal.

In 2022, member for Herbert Phillip Thompson promised $5m in federal funding to upgrade the lights if the Coalition government was re-elected, following Townsville City Council’s decision to put the project on ice until there was a joint-funding model provided.

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

But the Albanese government must not have seen the value in upgrading Townsville’s premier round oval, leaving the local cricket and Aussie rules communities in the dark for at least another term.

Thompson now has an active petition to see if the lighting upgrades are still a community priority, and he said it was disappointing to still see Townsville missing out on big ticket sporting events in 2025.

“It’s extremely disappointing, because Townsville is the capital of north Australia, and to have professional sport – whether it be cricket, whether it be AFL – bypass Townsville because we don’t have the lights that would support television production, is extremely disappointing,” Thompson said.

“It’s key for me to bring these professional athletes here, which then enhances the participation locally, which gets children involved in these sports.

“They can see their heroes and they can make their dreams a reality by looking down and going, I want to be that. I want to do that.

“I want to have a young girl sitting in the stands seeing AFLW going, you know what? I want to do that.”

Australia's Mitchell Starc (C) appeals successfully for an LBW decision against Zimbabwe batsman Wessly Madhevere (R) during the second one-day international (ODI) cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe at the Riverway Stadium in Townsville on August 31, 2022. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

THE TIME HAS COME FOR AN OLYMPIC PUSH

Cricket will be reintroduced to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and is expected to be included in Brisbane in 2032, making a world class stadium in Townsville an even bigger priority to get sorted in the next seven years.

Thompson highlighted the bungled KISS concert, when the iconic band skipped their Townsville date due to a clash with the Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, as an example of Townsville’s failings as an events destination.

“We’ve missed out on big events because we only have one place that can hold certain events,” Thompson said.

“Now we have major events that are bypassing the capital of north Australia and going to places where they have the lighting and the facilities to support it.

“To me, that’s not good enough. To the public, I don’t think that’s good enough. We want to have it here.”

Riverway Stadium is the exact same size as the MCG in length and width, and Australian cricket star Glenn Maxwell rates the ground in his top five surfaces in the country.

Glenn Maxwell of Australia bats during game one of the One Day International Series between Australia and Zimbabwe at Riverway Stadium on August 28, 2022 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The ground also has exceptional drainage, giving it the ability to still be playable after torrential bursts of tropical rain.

Cricket North Queensland president Peter Busch said the issue had been kicked down the road for too long.

“The field is exceptional, as good as anything in the regional areas. And it is (disappointing), because it all comes back to how much it has been pushed (down the road),” Busch said.

“Obviously night games are an issue because we’ve got candle power out there.

“It’s that simple. It’s terrible, and has been under investigation and review for probably 10 years.

“I think the time has come.”

TOWNSVILLE CITY COUNCIL BACKS CALLS FOR FUNDING

A Townsville spokesman said support for upgrades was needed to enable Townsville to continue hosting world class events.

“As the largest city outside of South-East Queensland, Townsville should be a home of world class sporting events,’ the spokesman said.

“To maximise opportunities from the upcoming Brisbane 2032 Games, Townsville City Council established the Townsville 2032 Legacy Working Group, chaired by former Olympian Councillor Suzy Batkovic.

“The Townsville 2032 Legacy Working Group recognises the importance of unlocking opportunities of Riverway Stadium, to not only enhance a fantastic community asset, but also generate much needed tourism and economic growth for the city.

“Support for upgrades are needed to enable Townsville to host events and teams in the lead up to, and post, the 2032 Games. Being able to broadcast matches to the world will aid in showcasing Queensland and generate sustained visitation to the region both during and outside of events.”

Phillip Thompson’s petition can be signed online here: www.philthompson.com.au/riverway-stadium/

Originally published as The decade-long reason Townsville continues to miss out on events