Despite work having commenced on the $54 million redevelopment of Rockhampton's Browne Park, the proponents of a rival stadium plan in the Central Queensland city have lodged a development application for a three-tier grandstand at a site next to the Fitzroy River.
Plans for the construction of the Rocky Stadium - to be built on the Brothers Club rugby league grounds at the Rocky Sports Club - are for a 5369 seating capacity grandstand with additional space for 565 spectators to stand.
The proposed grandstand will tiered over three-levels, with the lower level to 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.
A report from Capricorn Survey Group CQ states “the 5000+ capacity stadium will certainly enhance the area as the highest-order sporting precinct in Rockhampton.
“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.
“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.”
While the Queensland Government has committed to the $54 million redevelopment of Browne Park, Rockhampton's traditional home of rugby league, $23 million for the Rocky Stadium was pledged by the former Federal Government and One Nation Federal Senator Pauline Hanson in September 2020.
At the time, Senator Hanson presented a novelty cheque for $23 million from the 'Australian Federal Parliament' for what was then proposed as an 8,500-seat rectangular sports stadium.
Local Capricornia Federal MP Michelle Landry has been an enthusiastic backed of the project, telling the city’s The Morning Bulletin over recent days that the project is “going ahead”, noting “we put the money on the table a few years ago and now it’s all systems go.”
However, with the current Federal Government reviewing regional funding pledges there is no certainty that the $23 million commitment to Rocky Stadium will remain.
In addition, questions over its riverbank site being prone to flooding have frequently been raised.
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 at Browne Park are expected to be completed by the 2025 rugby league season.
Images: Concept for the proposed three tier grandstand at the Rocky Stadium (top) and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson (below left) poses with a $23 million novelty cheque for the Rocky Stadium in September 2020 (below, courtesy of Pauline Hanson Please Explain/Facebook).
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well as caring for Stella the pug.
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