$54 million redevelopment of Rockhampton's Browne Park Stadium unveiled

$54 million redevelopment of Rockhampton’s Browne Park Stadium unveiled

March 1, 2023

Karen Sweaney

The Queensland Government has today announced a major funding boost for the redevelopment of Browne Park in Rockhampton, unveiling artist impressions of the new western grandstand and the full site masterplan of the stadium.

Rockhampton's traditional home of rugby league, Browne Park is home to the Central Queensland Capras which plays in the Queensland Rugby League Intrust Super Cup. Browne Park also hosted three NRL games in 2021 including a semi-final clash between the Eels and Knights.

The Queensland Government has more than doubled its initial election commitment of $25 million made in 2020, to $54 million to account for significant escalations in the building industry and supply chain issues, site challenges like water and sewerage upgrades, and the need to meet professional sport requirements to host games including NRL.

The Stage 1 works involve:

Building a contemporary three-level 3,500-seat grandstand featuring a timber structured roof,
Four universally designed change rooms
Public amenities,
Food and beverage outlets,
Media and coach facilities,
Corporate areas, a function room and broadcast facilities; and
Offices for the Central Queensland Capras and QRL.
Increasing ground capacity from 5,000 to 7,000.

Early demolition works of the existing 750-seat Jack Crow Stand are scheduled to commence mid this year and the main construction works to begin later in 2023.

Construction works are expected to be complete ahead of the 2025 rugby league season, subject to weather, and labour and materials availability.

Locals will also be able to have their say on the full site master plan during Infrastructure Designation public consultation in coming months.

The procurement process for a Head Contractor will commence in the coming months.

Upon completion of all stages of the master plan, the full ground capacity will double to 10,000.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk notes “Browne Park has been the home to NRL in Central Queensland for more than 100 years.

“This $54 million investment is a game changer for Rockhampton and will bring big NRL games to the region and create a state-of-the-art home for sports here in Central Queensland.

“This project also has enormous potential to put Rockhampton on the global map for international team training on the runway to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Queensland Tourism and Sport Minister, Stirling Hinchliffe added “Browne Park’s upgrade makes Central Queensland even more attractive as a destination for major NRL, rugby and A-league events, as well as concerts and festivals.

“Every game, every event will add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the visitor economy and that’s great news for local accommodation and hospitality providers and tourism operators.”

The announcement is expected to end a proposal for another rugby league stadium in Rockhampton, suggested for a flood-prone site at the city’s Victoria Park adjacent to the Rocky Sports Club.

Images from top: Browne Park masterplan artist impression; Browne Park Jack Crow Stand before and after; Browne Park Jack Crow Stand artist impression

About the author

Karen Sweaney

Co-founder and Editor, Australasian Leisure Management

Artist, geoscientist and specialist writer on the leisure industry, Karen Sweaney is Editor and co-founder of Australasian Leisure Management.

Based in Sydney, Australia, her specific areas of interest include the arts, entertainment, the environment, fitness, tourism and wellness.

She has degrees in Fine Arts from the University of Sydney and Geological Oceanography from UNSW.

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