New Gold Coast stadium will cost at least $480 million with punters having to use public transport
A new set of data has revealed how much the controversial Gold Coast indoor arena could cost to build. Read what is planned
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Gold Coast indoor arena will cost at least $480 million to build and host up to 80 events a year, latest business projections reveal.
Gold Coast Invest, the new council entity responsible for sourcing fresh projects, has released some commercial data after concerned Southport residents asked about the “business case” for the stadium proposed for Carey Park.
“Estimated project costs for the venue are $480 million. Total project costs are unknown at this stage,” a Gold Coast Invest spokesperson said.
Reports last year speculated the price tag could range from $250 million to $750 million — it was thought council could fund $10 million and the State Government about $50 million with a private investor to cover the rest.
But Southport MP Rob Molhoek, in a report in Monday’s Bulletin, said State debt was spiralling out of control and “there’s simply not enough money for it” to help the City project.
Mr Molhoek said he believed the Coast needed a world class entertainment venue, understood local businesses supported an Arena and most constituents believed it would be a positive.
The only opposition, which was strong, involved apartment owners living across from the site.
Council in sending information to residents, recently surveyed on the arena, suggested it would host about 80 events each year.
The biggest arena complaint from residents has been about potential traffic congestion.
Invest Gold Coast said council undertook market sounding on onsite parking requirements for arena events and the consistent feedback was to not provide spaces for all attendees because it would worsen road congestion.
“As is the case with many centrally located arenas, the use of public transport will be encouraged when travelling to and from the events. If patrons still choose to drive, there are about 4800 carparks (public and private) within walking distance,” a spokesperson said.
Asked about the impact on residents with 80 events each year hosting 12,000 fans, Invest Gold Coast said not all would be at fully capacity.
“Some family entertainment and sports events would have smaller patron numbers. We anticipate that a venue of this calibre and purpose would be an asset to the existing and future residents of Southport, although acknowledge that some residents adjacent may be impacted,” the spokesperson added.
On noise issues, the spokesperson says the roof and upper walls of the arena will be designed with high sound insulation performance to contain concert noise levels to within the arena.
“Other aspects such as mechanical plant, waste removal, loading dock will be managed by a combination of design — noise barriers and orientation — and limiting of the noisiest activities to the daytime,” the spokesperson said.
“Crowd noise levels on the plaza will need to be addressed within the development approval planning conditions, landscaping and where necessary, appropriately designed noise barriers.”
Meanwhile, residents including Chris Ponting and Paula Lipton campaigning against the Carey Park site have delivered a petition with 1500 signatures to Southport councillor Brooke Patterson.
The petition which will be presented to a full council meeting calls on the City to “discontinue any proposal to build an arena stadium in Carey Park”.
Ms Patterson is yet to announce her position on the arena being built on the site.
“I will make a decision after I receive answers from officers to all the questions residents raised with me,” she said.
GOVERNMENT MP REVEALS INDOOR ARENA FUNDING SHOCK
The Gold Coast’s indoor arena is unlikely to be built because “there’s simply not enough money for it”, warns Southport MP Rob Molhoek.
The blunt assessment came after Mr Molhoek met privately at the Southport Bowls Club with more than 50 residents protesting to save Carey Park.
They had asked the MP, at a meeting just more than a week ago: “Is this a done deal”.
Mr Molhoek replied: “To be clear, this is not my project, it’s not my proposal, it’s council’s.”
When asked by this masthead for his position on the indoor arena — given his strong opposition previously to a casino in Carey Park — Mr Molhoek put his cards on the table.
“While I would love our city to have a significant entertainment venue, there’s simply not enough money for it,” he said.
“They typically lose money but as Australia’s sixth largest city we deserve to have a world class entertainment centre we can be proud of.
“But as you’ve no doubt heard, State debt is spiralling out of control, we have billions to find for essential infrastructure across the state, and we have an Olympic Games to fund.
“I can’t see the State Treasurer coughing up a lazy half a billion dollars for an indoor entertainment venue with so many other challenges and commitments to address.”
The funding crisis is impacting on major transport projects. The Crisafulli Government is backing its election promise of reviewing light rail Stage Four to the Gold Coast Airport. Mayor Tom Tate will consider an alternative of buses to Burleigh.
A toll is not being ruled out to complete the Coomera Connector. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie last month “cooled” on the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail project at a $20bn price tag.
Treasurer David Janetzki has predicted debt at the June Budget could reach $218bn, a figure disputed by Labor. Other Coast LNP MPs confirm debt will impact on spending.
Mr Molhoek said he doubted council could fund the Southport indoor area on its own.
“And that I doubt there are any private investors ready to come on board, as stadiums typically cost millions to operate and maintain, and are typically money pits. It just won’t stack up,” he said.
Mr Tate has hinted to councillors that the arena, at 12,000 capacity, should be expanded with one accommodating 18,000 being more appropriate given the Coast’s population growth.
Ballpark figures put up for earlier versions suggested a cost of $300m. Council could provide $10m and the state government up to $50m with private investors covering the rest.
The City is completing extensive community consultation and when made public that surveying will show strong support for an entertainment centre.
Mr Molhoek previously was photographed in Carey Park when he joined residents opposed to a global tourism resort including a casino being built there.
“I opposed a global tourism hub and casino because it would have been an abhorrent use of public land and most likely a gigantic white elephant — this isn’t Vegas,” Mr Molhoek said.
“We don’t have the critical mass in population terms to support more casinos in Australia. “You only have to look a few kilometres up the road to see just how casinos are struggling.
“I explained (to residents that ) I’m walking a tightrope — local businesses want an Arena, young people want it, most of my constituents see it as a positive, most of my electorate are west of here and unconcerned about your views.
“I addressed their concerns about traffic management. Were the arena ever to proceed I’m pretty certain the area would be subject to a traffic management scheme similar to Robina Stadium and the Gabba in Brisbane”.
Resident Eric Roberts who attended the Bowls Club meeting said members of the Carey family — the park was dedicated to their grandfather, former MP Cecil Carey — were there and deplored the erosion of public land which they have witnessed over the years.
“Everyone I know is against the idea of destroying what’s left of Carey Park for any building project. Other than some predictable nimby objections, many people deplore the potential
loss of green space and trees,” Mr Roberts said.
More Coverage
Originally published as New Gold Coast stadium will cost at least $480 million with punters having to use public transport
Motorsport’s ex-wild child Renee Gracie lets rip and gloves up
The Supercars outcast who turned to making raunchy online videos opens up on her foray into boxing and why she never had a problem with being called the ‘Pussy Wagon’ at Bathurst.
Gold Coast crim’s illicit shop: Stolen police vests, meth, meds
A drug trafficking father-of-two who was busted in possession of an extraordinary amount of contraband has learnt his fate after pleading guilty in the Supreme Court to 17 offences. Find out how he came unstuck.