- Funding boost to $54 million for Stage 1 of Browne Park redevelopment
- Construction to begin this year creating 170 local jobs
- Stage 1 involves building a brand new contemporary three-level 3,500-seat grandstand (currently 750 seats) boosting ground capacity to 7,000.
- Works expected to be complete ahead of 2025 rugby league season.
A $54 million redevelopment of Browne Park in Rockhampton is getting closer to kick-off with the Palaszczuk Government today announcing a major funding boost, unveiling artist impressions of the new western grandstand and the full site masterplan of the stadium.
The Palaszczuk Labor Government has more than doubled the initial election commitment made in 2020 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 support more than 170 local jobs, are anticipated 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.
Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:
"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.
"Not only will this redevelopment create 170 jobs during construction, but it will generate a pipeline of ongoing opportunities for the entire region."
Quotes attributable to Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick:
"Browne Park is the spiritual home of rugby league in Central Queensland.
"The city that has given us Queensland greats including Matt Sing, Tamika Upton and Cameron Munster deserves a top-class regional facility that can host more NRL games and be a bigger, better home for the Capras.
"Whether it's Rookwood Weir, the Fitzroy to Gladstone pipeline or Browne Park, our Government is committed to delivering Central Queensland the big projects it deserves."
Quotes attributable to Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe:
"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.
"The Palaszczuk Government made Browne Park an election commitment because of its ability to super-charge Central Queensland's economy.
"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."
Quotes attributable to Member for Rockhampton Barry O'Rourke
"It's a genuine thrill for Rockhampton to receive this boost to the initial $25 million election commitment, increasing funding to $54 million to give Browne Park the makeover it deserves.
"As the home of rugby league in Central Queensland, which hosted an NRL semi-final in 2021 between Parramatta and Newcastle, Browne Park will get a new lease of life and I can't wait for the dozers to start rolling in later this year."
