Development application lodged for Rocky Stadium at sports club site

The tale of two Central Queensland stadiums continues as plans for a stadium at Rocky Sports Club progress. See the new architectural drawings and proposed plans.

Plans have been lodged with council for the Rocky Stadium at Rocky Sports Club.

Looming construction of the Rocky Stadium to be built on the Brothers Club rugby league grounds has taken a major step forward.

A development application was lodged with Rockhampton Regional Council at the end of May for a multipurpose stadium at the Graeme Acton Way site.

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry announced in September 2020 the Federal Government would be committing $23 million towards the project, which is the full cost.

Speaking about the project this week, she confirmed the funding was still locked in and said it was “absolutely fantastic it was going ahead”.

“We put the money on the table a few years ago and now it’s all systems go,” she said.

“I’ve just spoken with Gavin (Shuker) at the Rocky Sports Club and they are very excited, they are ready to go forward with it.”

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry with Rocky Sports Club's Gavin Shuker and Jack Hughes on the grounds of Rocky Stadium.

National firm Paynters has been awarded the tender for construction.

The planning report lodged with the application states the stadium would have a 5369 seating capacity plus room for 565 spectators to stand.

“It’s not just about football games, that will be able to be used for other events,”Ms Landry said.

“It’s a pity it won’t be ready for Beef Australia 2024, even with some of the big events they have at the showgrounds, any overflow you could have there.”

South-west elevations of the three tiers of the Rocky Stadium.

It is expected up to 500 people would attend the weekly local rugby league matches and up to 10 major events are expected per year, hosting between 2500 and 4000 people.

The proposed grandstand will tiered over three-levels.

On the south grandstand, the lower level will contain male and female spectator amenities, player change rooms and amenities, various storage rooms, referee/official change rooms, medical facilities and food and beverage areas.

The middle concourse will have 28 wheelchair accessible seats, 28 carers seats, coaches box and 2058 lower tier seats.

The upper level will have 1460 seats, 14 wheelchair accessible seating spaces and 14 carer seats and space for 565 standing spectators and amenities.

Looking at the southwest stand from west of the Rocky Stadium.

On the opposite side of the sporting field, the north grandstand will have 1931 spectator seats and 56 wheelchair accessible and carer seats, along with amenities.

It has previously been reported the construction is estimated to create up to 67 full-time jobs and inject more than $44 million into the local economy.

“The 5000+ capacity stadium will certainly enhance the area as the highest-order sporting precinct in Rockhampton,” the report from Capricorn Survey Group CQ states.

“At present the football field has very little in the way of permanent seating, with only a select few relocatable grandstands and grassy knolls available for spectators.

View of the Rocky Stadium from the corner of Huish Dr and Graeme Acton Way.

“The relatively informal arrangement for seating serves well for local competition matches, however, could become problematic for larger tournaments that attract a higher number of spectators.

“The new stadium will not only enhance local competition but opens up further opportunities for higher level competition games to be held in Rockhampton.”

Pedestrian paths will be provided from Victoria Park and along Graeme Acton Way to the stadium.

There would be additional parking in the proposed development, other than for ambulance parking, and the planning report makes note there are more than 400 on-street parking spaces within a five-minute walk of the stadium and 800 on-street within a 10 minute walk.

The Federal Government will commit $23 million towards building the Rocky Stadium at Victoria Park.

For larger events, carparking can be arranged at the Rockhampton Showgrounds or the high school and shuttle buses can also be organised.

The planning report notes the events would be of similar noise to events at the showgrounds and speedway, and would expect to be finished at midnight.

The stadium has been on the cards for a long time, officially back to 2010 when the CQ NRL Bid team investigated sites.

In 2013, a $500,000 feasibility study was conducted to source the most appropriate place for the Rockhampton Stadium and Victoria Park was deemed the best site.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson handed over a giant novelty cheque for $23 million, courtesy of the Federal Government, for Rocky Sports Club's Gavin Shuker to get started on building Rocky Stadium in 2020.

One Nation’s Pauline Hanson has been a long-time supporter of the project and says she lobbied the Federal Government for funding.

It comes as nearby Browne Park, the home of the CQ Capras, closes for matches as stage one of its stadium redevelopment project is expected to begin this year, with $54 million in funding announced from the state government.

Stage one of the Browne Park project includes a three-level 3500-seat grandstand, change rooms, public amenities, food and beverage outlets, media and coach facilities, corporate areas, a function room, broadcast facilities and officers for the CQ Capras and Queensland Rugby League.

Works are expected to be completed by the 2025 rugby league season.

The Rocky Stadium plans will now be assessed by council officers.

Originally published as Development application lodged for Rocky Stadium at sports club site