‘No sense’: Cricket slams state’s RNA stadium cash demand

Cricket Australia has slammed the state government’s lack of consultation in demanding up to $90m to upgrade the RNA Showgrounds.

• Gabba alternative under our noses

Cricket Australia has slammed the state government’s lack of consultation in demanding up to $90m to upgrade the RNA Showgrounds, declaring the proposal “makes no sense”.

The stinging comments from Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket could send the state government back to the drawing board, with the sport the second to pull out from contributing to the $137m showgrounds stadium build.

In a joint statement with Queensland Cricket chief executive officer Terry Svenson, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said while the organisation was supportive of the Olympic Games, it could not justify contributing millions to upgrade the showgrounds.

An artist’s impression of a rebuilt RNA main arena to accommodate AFL and cricket matches.

“The government has advised us that cricket, together with the Brisbane Lions, the AFL, Brisbane City Council and the RNA, must fund most of the costs of building a temporary venue at the RNA Showgrounds, which would need to be completed in less than two-years according to time frames provided for the Gabba rebuild,” he said.

“We cannot support the expectation that the sports fund the cost of their own displacement from the Gabba, as this will have detrimental long-term financial and operational implications for our sport, including at community level for players, volunteers and fans throughout Queensland.

“It makes no sense for us to contribute up to $90m towards a temporary venue that will get little use when the Gabba comes back online.”

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images for the AOC

Mr Hockley said cricket had put forward the case to upgrade Allan Border Field at Albion, which could accommodate matches during the Olympics “in the likely event that cricket features in the 2032 program”.

“We are also disappointed by the lack of detailed consultation, despite our continued requests for information including relevant time frames,” he said.

“We will continue to engage with the government and other relevant partners in the hope that we can put in place arrangements to ensure that the ongoing commercial viability and the positive economic and social impacts of cricket are maintained in Queensland.”

Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson. Picture: Richard Walker

Cricket’s likely refusal to stump up the cash mirrors Brisbane City Council’s refusal and will leave the Queensland Government relying on AFL and the RNA to help it fund the $137m upgrade.

Australian test star and Brisbane Heat captain Usman Khawaja feared cricket would go “broke” while the Gabba redevelopment was underway.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman on Tuesday said Khawaja was right to advocate for the sport, but batted away his concerns.

“We will continue to work with Queensland Cricket and the AFL, they are going to have the country’s best stadium in a few years time and we’re not asking them to put in $1 for that but in the meantime, we need a temporary home,” she said.

Mr Hockley acknowledged the rejuvenation of the Gabba would create a “sustainable, world-class stadium that will enable fans to enjoy the games in 2032 and support cricket in the long-term”.

Originally published as ‘No sense’: Cricket slams state’s RNA stadium cash demand