Pothole problems at Rockhampton’s Rugby Park car park cause calamity

Increased traffic around Rockhampton’s Rugby Park car park is opening up crater-sized potholes. See what the Rockhampton Regional Council plans to do about it.

The carpark at Rockhampton's Rugby Park, which is the temporary home of the CQ Capras, is filled with potholes.

There are no plans to seal a pothole-laden car park at a Rockhampton venue currently serving as the home ground of the region’s premier sporting club.

The Rockhampton Regional Council has revealed “repairs are scheduled” for the car park at Rugby Park, which is in high demand as an alternative to Browne Park, the city’s historical home of rugby league which is undergoing a $54 million redevelopment.

It was last year announced as the temporary home of the CQ Capras, which has six teams competing in the QRL’s statewide men’s, women’s and underage competitions.

The CQ Capras playing at Rugby Park during the 2024 Hostplus Cup season. Photo: Pam McKay

With increased patronage comes more traffic, which has added to the existing usage from residents accessing the popular walking track that leads to the nearby Botanic Gardens.

It is taking a toll on the car park surface, which is now riddled with potholes.

Heavy rain last Saturday caused further damage as the car park was awash when the Capras hosted the Mackay Cutters in their under-17 and under-19 pre-season trial games.

Some children leaving the ground were seen using the tips of umbrellas to measure how deep some of the water-filled potholes were.

The car park at Rockhampton's Rugby Park is littered with potholes, exacerbated by heavy rain last Saturday.

The Morning Bulletin contacted the Rockhampton Regional Council about the maintenance plan for the car park.

Councillor for Parks, Sport and Public Spaces Cherie Rutherford provided this response.

“Following recent rainfall and increased usage of the car park as league season starts, our crews identified the need for repairs at the Rugby Park car park and have scheduled to complete these by the end of the month,” she said.

“As this location is a temporary home for Capras, sealing the car park is not currently included in our forward capital works program.

“Council will, however, ensure the car park is monitored under our existing maintenance program and any further improvements will be considered against other capital works that are prioritised based on budget and usage.”

Rockhampton Grammar School bought Rugby Park in 2016.

Rockhampton Grammar School bought the facility next to Yeppen Lagoon for $832,700 in 2016 after the Central Queensland Rugby Union went into liquidation.

While Grammar owns the buildings, it leases the field areas from the council.

The school was using Rugby Park primarily for rugby union, including events such as the annual Regional Rugby Championships.

However, the venue was last year and will again in 2025 be used for Dolphins Cup and Rockhampton District Secondary Schools Rugby League fixtures and finals.

The Capras four underage teams are scheduled to play the first home games of their respective seasons at Rugby Park on February 22.

They have home games again on the following weekend - March 1.

Originally published as Pothole problems at Rockhampton’s Rugby Park car park cause calamity